SOUTHAMPTON, NY – The fifth annual Blue Dream Gala for charity of the Kimisis Church of the Hamptons attracted more than 430 Greek-Americans and their friends on August 29 to an event that has set the standard for great parties for good causes in the New York Metropolitan Area.
Co-pastors Father Alexander Karloutsos, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Father Constantine Lazarakis, respectively welcomed the guests and offered the invocation.
Refugees International (RI), represented by Michel Gabauda, its president, and Amani Global Works (AGW) were this year’s honorees and fundraising beneficiaries. Dr. Jacques’ Sebisaho, AGW’s founder and his wife and coworker, Mimy, received the award and addressed the guests, as did Gabauda.
Actor Matt Dillon, a member of the boards of both organizations and the event’s Honorary Chair, and Fox News anchor Rosanna Scotto, Master of Ceremonies, greeted the guests and introduced the honorees. Scotto also conveyed warmest regards from her colleagues Ernie Anastos and Nick Gregory.
The evening began with a cocktail reception featuring fellowship and networking in the Muses Cultural Center and the surrounding grounds. The dinner was held inside a huge billowing tent nearby that evoked a night on a Greek isle.
At previous Blue Dreams the magic worked by noted event planner Angela Giannopoulos had an exotic dimension. This spirit of this year’s gathering was one of simple Mediterranean elegance as live greenery flowed from the canopies that graced many of the dinner tables and the shadows of tree branches were projected onto the surface of the tent.
The soft, white wooden floor added to the warmth and was a magnet for dancers who enjoyed the Greek music performed live by Milos International and lead singer Sophia, and the non-Greek music was presented by DJ Sava.
The army of dedicated volunteers were led by event chairs Olga Palladino, Karen Mehiel, Maria Samuels, and Giannopoulos, with her usual special touches added by Presbytera Xanthi Karloutsos.
Among the guests were Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus on Capitol Hill. TNH Publisher-Editor Antonis H. Diamataris and his family attended, for the first time.
The dinner was overseen by celebrity chef Maria Loi and among the highly-desired prizes, which included fine jewelry and fashion, was a dinner for 10 in the winner’s, to be catered by Loi.
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