The A-Team
From Working to Preserve Our Heritage: The Incredible Legacy of Greek-American Community Services:
"Since its earliest days, GACS aspired to involve the community’s “heavy hitters” in supporting the organization. In addition to whatever unique contributions of talent, knowledge, or experience they would bring to GACS, their involvement would affirm the credibility of the organization as well as provide financial and fundraising support and guidance.
The definition of an A-lister was ambiguous, but you knew who they were within the community. They were successful entrepreneurs who had achieved a degree of success in their chosen fields which afforded them both money and influence within the community. Some were noted professionals or academics who had expertise and respect in their specialty or the broader community. Others were leaders within the Greek Orthodox Church or were active at the parish level, or in the lay hierarchy of the church, and in some cases were anointed Archons of the church or were members of the Archdiocese’s Leadership 100 program. A number were leaders within AHEPA or various societies and organizations that existed within the omogenia.
The nursing home project attracted some support from prominent individuals, but GACS had a more difficult time attracting the A-listers. A turning point for GACS came when Irene Antoniou expressed support for GACS. Irene had seen the Norman Ross segment that was filmed at the center and had also read our newsletters. The day after the broadcast, Irene called GACS, and during our conversation, I shared our plans to develop an advisory board of community leaders who would help us in fundraising, and equally important, lend credibility to GACS both within and outside the Greek community.
After a lunch meeting with Irene, Mike Bakalis, John Rassogianis, and myself at the Drury Lane Oakbrook, one of the resorts owned by her husband’s business, Irene, with Mike’s help, agreed to convene a meeting where the idea would be presented to a select group of community leaders we hoped would join the newly formed advisory board. Those invited were notable in their fields and were not particularly aligned with the Hellenic Foundation. It was decided that we would host a dinner meeting at GACS. This would make it possible for the guests to see the center and learn about our programs and aims.
Letters co-signed by Irene and Mike, inviting about 25 people to a joint GACS Board and Advisory Board dinner at GACS in June 1992, were sent. Kostas Zografopoulos, a GACS Board member, catered the event through his business Master Caterers. With his help, the center was transformed. White tablecloths, candles, servers, a bartender, and a dessert table contributed to the success of this elegant yet convivial dinner.
The guest list included: Roula Alakiotou, Anthony and Irene Antoniou, Dr. Michael Bakalis, Eleni Bousis, Dr. Peter Chioros, Dr. Angelo Creticos, Aphrodite Demeur, Maria Gephardt, Connie Gountanis Rigas, Bill and Mary Kakavas, Dr. Theodosis Kioutas, Ethel Kotsovos, Demetrios Kozonis, Frank Kuchuris, Lou Malevitis, Peter Maroutsos, Evangeline Mistaras, Athanasia Papadopoulos, Loukas Pergantas, Nick Polydoros, John Psiharis, John Rassogianis, Ted Spyropoulos, Elaine Thomopoulos, Chris Tomaras, and Kosta Zografopoulos.
During dinner, I was seated next to Jim Kozonis, and I recounted a conversation I had with our landlord Joe Matushka, a few days earlier. Joe, the developer of the building and our landlord, told me he was planning to sell the property and was giving us the first option to buy it at a reduced price. I mentioned this to Jim during our dinner conversation hoping that he might become interested in helping GACS to buy the building.
After introductions and dinner, Irene welcomed the guests. Evangeline then spoke. Elaine and I provided overviews of the organization. Dr. Kioutas followed. As conversation and questions ensued, Jim brought up our dinner conversation about the building being for sale and his belief that GACS should buy it. Surprisingly there was agreement. Before you knew it the group had taken on the goal of raising the money needed for GACS to buy the building. Jim would chair the building campaign and Eleni Bousis and Loukas Pergantas joined the newly created Building Fund committee. Ted Spyropoulos joined the building fund committee soon thereafter; however, he was not on the advisory board.
The newly formed Advisory Board selected Irene Antoniou as chair and Chris Tomaras as co-chair. Initial members were Roula Alakiotou, Dr. Michael Bakalis, Eleni Bousis, Aphrodite Demeur, Maria Gephardt, Jim Kozonis, Frank Kuchuris, Loukas Pergantas, and Eleni Sotos. The next meeting date was set. Irene graciously offered to host the lunch meeting at the Barclay-Chicago Hotel. The group was energized and unified behind the goal of purchasing the building. GACS was grateful to these supporters for their steadfast support. Each year, at least two joint meetings with the GACS board and advisory board members were held over dinner in Greektown. Chris generously covered the costs of the dinner meetings. After having enabled the purchase of the building, the Advisory Board focused its efforts on supporting the annual Heritage Awards dinners. Even though buying the 3940 N. Pulaski building was not something that could have been imagined a few months earlier, it became a primary focus for the next two years.
First were negotiations with the building owner; Jim led these talks. As a commercial developer and property owner, Jim was well-versed in commercial real estate. He also provided us with legal help through his real estate lawyer, Nicholas Black, and his associate, Dean Kalamatianos. The asking price was $320,000. Our final purchase price was $240,000. Matushka was able to gain a tax reduction for selling the property to a nonprofit at a below-market rate. A contract to purchase was signed soon thereafter. Before we closed, a soil test was taken. Since the building was adjacent to a Mobil gas station there was concern about possible soil contamination. After soil testing, the results were acceptable, and the process moved forward.
During the first meeting of the Building Fund Committee, Jim and the others present sketched out a fundraising plan. It called for 50 to 60 individuals to contribute a minimum of $1,000 each to the newly established Building Fund. An additional $40,000 would come from a $100 per ticket raffle, with a goal of selling 500 tickets. There was $10,000 in prizes and the drawing would be held during the annual GACS Heritage Awards Dinner. A radiothon was discussed as an additional means to raise funds.
GACS needed to raise $100,000 to secure financing. After many years my memory is fuzzy, but the mortgage payments were about $2,000 per month. As a nonprofit organization, the property taxes and the water and sewer bills would be waived. The upstairs rents, along with a lighted billboard sign in the front parking lot, and a rooftop sign facing the adjacent Kennedy expressway, provided income that would defray much of the mortgage, to the point that GACS would pay a little more to own the building than the $1,995 per month it was paying in rent for the first floor. The building was about five years old at the time, so no major problems were expected for the foreseeable future.
To kick off the campaign, most members of the Advisory Board donated at least $1,000 each. Several GACS board members also made generous donations. Organizations that contributed to the building fund included: The Pan Arcadian Federation, Pan Laconian Federation, Pan Messinian Federation, Greek Women’s University Club, Hellenic Medical Society of Illinois, Phos Missions, and several others. A special appeal letter was sent to our major donors and mailing list. A GACS Building Fund account was established at Western Springs Savings and Loan, which at the time was owned by Jim Regas, a friend of Jim’s, who also donated $1,000 to the effort. These donations yielded over $45,000.
At a subsequent lunch meeting of the Advisory Board held at the Barclay Hotel - Chicago hosted by Irene, a high-end fundraiser was discussed, and the idea evolved into a cocktail reception.
An announcement in the May 12, 1994, edition of the Greek Star promoting the fundraiser quoted Eleni Bousis: 'We believe the purchase of the Greek-American Community Services building will further entrench the agency and allow us to continue our work long-term.' Chris Tomaras agreed, 'This reception is about raising money to purchase the building and provide a sense of permanency for the elderly citizens we serve. This indeed is a worthwhile cause.'
The 'A Touch of Love First Annual Reception Buffet,' cocktail party fundraiser was held on May 20, 1994. Chris Tomaras, a member of the exclusive Metropolitan Club located in Sears Tower, offered to host the reception there and underwrote the expenses. It was a venue that few had visited since it was a members-only club, thus there was an appeal. Tickets to the event were $500 each.
A $100 per ticket raffle was also held. It was the raffle originally intended to be held at the Heritage Awards dinner. The fundraiser was chaired by Dimitris and Eleni Bousis and Loukas and Nikki Pergantas. It was well attended, and several significant donations were made or pledged that evening. The Hellenic Ladies Society of Constantinople (now known as the Hellenic Society of Constantinople) donated $5,000. Peter Tselepatiotis presented a check on behalf of the organization he represented that evening and a check from Windy City Gyros, his store.
In total, about $30,000 was raised as guests enjoyed refreshing cocktails, sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, and a brilliant sunset settling in across the city. An article entitled 'Friends of GACS Gather at Sears Tower for Building Fund Goal' appeared in the June 23, 1994, issue of the Greek Star and described the evening:
'The view from the 67th floor on this night was inspiring, setting the tone for the Building Fund goal of GACS that was clearly becoming a reality. Prominent members of the omogenia, personally invited by the Advisory Board, renewed old acquaintances. In her brief remarks, Ms. Irene Antoniou, Advisory Board Chairwoman, personally recognized the outstanding generous support of Ms. Aphrodite Demeur and Chris Tomaras. She stated, ‘Those of us who have been involved with charities over the years know full well that nothing would be accomplished without the assistance of special angels who seem to fall from the heavens when they are needed most.’ Ms. Antoniou also expressed special thanks to Ms. Eva Thomas, President of the Hellenic Ladies Society of Constantinople for their $5,000 contribution to the fund. She also complimented Ms. Bousis, Event Chairwoman, and Mr. Loukas Pergantas, co-chair for their exceptional and dedicated efforts and hard work in making ‘A Touch of Love’ a reality. Ms. Bousis was also complimented on the artwork her daughter, Victoria, sketched on the guest invitations, especially the tiny Ya’Sou bus in the background.'
The success of this event helped GACS to gather much of the money needed for the down payment. Several individuals made significant donations during this period including Aphrodite Demeur, Alex and Tessie Cantos, and Bessie Choporis. A generous donation from the Argolida Organization O’Danaos was presented by its president, Peter Tselepatiotis. With their assistance, we were able to move ahead with the purchase."
Inaugural meeting of the GACS Advisory Board at GACS. Pictured (L-R): Dr. Theodosis Kioutas, Evangeline Mistaras, Athanasia Papadopoulos, and Kosta Zografopoulos. June 1992. Photo by John Rassogianis. John Psiharis collection.
GACS Advisory Board members during a luncheon meeting at the Barclay-Chicago Hotel. Pictured (L-R): Chris Tomaras, John Psiharis, Irene Antoniou, Eleni Bousis, Charles Mouratides, John Rassogianis, and Loukas Pergantas. Date unknown. John Psiharis collection.
Seated (L-R): Chris Tomaras and Irene Antoniou. Standing: Roula Alakiotou, Jim Kozonis, Loukas Pergantas, and John Psiharis during an Advisory Board luncheon meeting at the Barclay-Chicago Hotel. Date unknown. John Psiharis collection.
At the “Touch of Love” cocktail reception. Pictured: (L-R): Advisory Board members Chris Tomaras, Eleni Bousis, Aphrodite Demeur, John Psiharis, Irene Antoniou, and Loukas Pergantas. John Psiharis collection.