Behrakis

Published by The National Herald, October 1, 2004

Behrakis Donates $100,000 to His Alma Mater

By Theodore Kalmoukos
Special to The National Herald

BOSTON.- Prominent Greek-American businessman and philanthropist George Behrakis donated $100,000 towards the Endowment Fund of the Hellenic-American Day School of the historic Holy Trinity parish of Lowell, Massachusetts. Behrakis fulfilled part of the $200,000 he has pledged to the Endowment Fund of the school on condition that the Endowment committee raises an equal amount.

The donation was given during a dinner organized by the Endowment committee in honor of the George Behrakis family at the Tewksbury Country Club on Friday night, September 24. The National Herald had written extensively about the Endowment Fund in its September 18-19 issue.

More than 300 guests took part at the dinner. Metropolitan Methodios of Boston called George Behrakis "a great benefactor of the Church and Hellenic Omogeneia of America." Methodios praised the many contributions of the Hellenic-American School. Speaking about Behrakis, Metropolitan Methodios noted that "God gives abundantly to George Behrakis, who in return shares that with his fellow human beings, his Church and his heritage." The Metropolitan also said that "the Hellenic-American School shines the light of Greek-Orthodoxy in New England, in Lowell, in our Greek-American Community in the U.S." and emphasized that "George Behrakis is a proud graduate of this school."

Consul General of Greece in Boston Konstantin Bikas spoke of the "great significance and service of the Hellenic-American School." Bikas congratulated the organizers of the dinner for their thoughtfulness to honor George Behrakis, saying that "Mr. Behrakis embraces Hellenism and cares for the future of the Hellenic paideia (education), heritage and culture."

Behrakis, visibly touched by the event, noted the progress that the school has shown in the last few years and expressed his hope that the school’s success continues in the year to come.

Behrakis also remembered the years of his schooling at the Hellenic-American School. He praised Hellenism and recommended "the study of Hellenism and the works of our ancient Greek philosophers and writers." Behrakis also spoke of the "great value of the Greek language" and emphasized that the Greek-American School is known for its strong academic record.

It was announced that the Endowment Fund has reached $460,000 including the $100,000 donation of the Behrakis family. It is expected to reach $1 million by the year 2008.



Volume 6 Number 40 - Tuesday, October 4th, 2004	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY