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The Hellenic Initiative’s 11th Annual Gala to Honor Ted Leonsis

By NEO Magazine on October 27, 2023

The Hellenic Initiative (THI), the largest global non-profit uniting the Greek Diaspora – with supporters in over 47 countries – will host its 11th Annual Gala on Saturday, December 2, 2023, in New York City. Buzz and excitement for the Gala are set to begin 10 days prior with the online launch of one of the largest luxury silent auction of items from notable Greek designers. This year’s event will honor renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Leonsis, Majority Owner and Chairman of the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, and Washington Mystics. Mr. Leonsis is founder, chair, principal partner, and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, one of the world’s most valuable regional sports and entertainment companies with one of the most diverse ownership groups in all of sports.

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On the day of the event, cocktails and auction item viewing begin at 6:30 p.m. at the premiere event space 48 Wall Street, followed by a walk across a red-carpeted Wall Street for dinner, awards, and entertainment at Cipriani (55 Wall Street) at 8:00 p.m. Funds raised support THI’s vetted humanitarian partners and economic/entrepreneurial development in Greece.

To further honor Mr. Leonsis, a portion of the evening’s proceeds will help fund the THI Summer Youth Academy, a leadership program designed to empower youth with limited resources in Greece. THI has partnered with basketball training and sportsmanship organization Eurohoops to create a life-changing summer experience for 100 young people who deserve every opportunity to succeed. The program, which will debut in July 2024 with Mr. Leonsis serving as the 2024 Academy Honorary Chair, will offer intensive basketball coaching, life skills workshops to foster personal growth and resilience, and mentoring from basketball idols and special guests.

More than 800 distinguished guests, benefactors, and dignitaries are expected to attend this significant annual celebration of both community and entertainment that brings together the Greek diaspora in a powerful way.

Founded in 2012, THI is a global, nonprofit, secular institution mobilizing the Greek diaspora and philhellene community to support sustainable economic recovery and renewal for the Greek people. THI’s programs address crisis relief through strong nonprofit organizations and build entrepreneurial skills in a new generation of business leaders. In recent years, THI has made direct distribution of more than $20.5 million, 60% of which has been deployed into Greece’s economic development, and 40% into programs focused on crisis relief and generated extensive additional funding with significant impact on the GNP of Greece.

For more info on the gala or THI in general, their website is: TheHellenicInitiative.org

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