Loukoumi Foundation Unites Hundreds of Students Worldwide At New York Good Deed Summit

Loukoumi Foundation Unites Hundreds of Children Worldwide At New York Good Deed Summit

THANK YOU to everyone who made the Loukoumi Foundation Good Deed Summit an unforgettable, life-changing 6-day journey!

🌎 We welcomed students and educators from 10 countries—Japan, Italy, Greece, Germany, Northern Ireland, India, Puerto Rico, Uganda, Newfoundland (Canada), and across the USA for a powerful week of good deeds, inspiration, connection, and friendship. From our Make A Difference Awards (where students danced the night away in celebration of global changemakers), to an inspiring Global Impact Forum filled with emotional talks and stories of transformation...

We welcomed participants from around the world!

Participants came together for our Welcome Reception, celebrating unity and a shared commitment to making a global impact.

We proudly honored some incredible changemakers at our 11th Annual

Make A Difference Awards

Inspiration Award:

John P. Calamos, Sr., Founder, Chairman and Global Chief Investment Officer Calamos Investments

Courage Award: Gus Psaros

Constantine Katsoris Educator of the Year: John Feerick, former Dean of Fordham Law School

Make A Difference Award honorees:

Judith Abrams, Daniela Fogliano, Tessa Nordone, Philoxenia Inc., Despina Kartson, Holy Trinity Philoptochos, Gesamtschule Elsdorf School (Germany), and The Chapel School School students: Gabby Massey, Taylor Nicolosi, Julie Olsovsky & Lucy Savone

Day 3 kicked off with our Global Impact Forum where speakers from across the globe shared their insights on making a difference in the world including Columbia University Psychiatrist and Author of "The Rabbit Effect" Dr. Kelli Harding, Executive Neuroscience Specialist and Author Harry Psaros, Lionel Li, and John Gownley, Director of Global Outreach, Mission and Ministry at Fordham University, who discussed with Nick Katsoris and Dr. Harding the Loukoumi Foundation's new Research Study published by Fordham. The Forum also featured panel discussions of students and educators worldwide.

Leaders from around the world shared their perspectives on

Making A Difference

🎶 Then came our visit to Our Lady of Grace School where students re-recorded our anthem “Make Someone Smile”-written and recorded for the Foundation by Grammy Award winner Gloria Gaynor over 15 years ago—in a “We Are the World”-style moment, followed by painting good deed mailboxes to bring kindness back to their schools.

ORDER THE BOOK HERE

Book Signing Event

And the day concluded with our Inspiring Stories book launch hosted by Ava Tsapatsaris at the Eastchester Auditorium! Participants featured in our "Inspiring Stories That Make A Difference 2" book took the stage to share their powerful messages. Then authors connected personally with readers during the book signing party.

1st Stop- St. Patrick's Cathedral

🚌 Saturday took us on the Loukoumi Good Deed Bus Tour (three buses, to be exact!)—starting with a moving prayer service at St. Patrick's Cathedral where 18 students shared how they are making a difference in their countries, followed by a heartfelt performance of Make Someone Smile.

WATCH THE SERVICE HERE

2nd Stop - 9/11 Memorial and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine

Stop 2 was a deeply emotional visit to the 9/11 Memorial, where students presented over 1,000 ‘Never Forget’ letters to families who lost loved ones on 9/11 including Anthoula Katsimatides and a special visit to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine and discussion with Fr. Andreas Vithoulkas.

3rd Stop - Mary's House/The Catholic Worker

Our final stop brought us to Mary’s House/The Catholic Worker, where students delivered food and heard the moving story of Carla, a true beacon of hope.

🍕 Saturday night wrapped up with a joyful pizza party sponsored by Fr. Nick and Presbytera Cyndi Anctil, where our friends from Gander Elementary (Newfoundland) held an honorary Newfoundlander induction ceremony!

Sunday was pure NYC magic—Circle Line cruises, Broadway shows, and sightseeing fun!

On Day 6, participants toured the United Nations, learning about the history and mission of the UN in promoting peace, security, and international cooperation.

As our friends returned home, we are filled with hope, light, and inspiration. These students remind us that the future is bright, and is powered by compassion, connection, and the courage to do good. Thank you to all who made this possible. The Loukoumi make a difference movement continues—and we’re just getting started!

AUCTION DONORS

Avra Estiatorio, Karin's Florist/Maris Angolia, NY Giants, NY Mets, NY Yankees, NY Jets, ABT, Nick & Voula Katsoris, Tom and Rosemary DeJulio, Dee Delbello/Herde de Ferme, Bradford Portrait Studios, Steve Napolitano/First Nationwide Title, Effie Gountanis, Gander Elementary, Michael Naclerio/Ford Lincoln Queens, Arsh Pal, Lake Isle Country Club, Laura and Patrick O'Connor, Manchester United, Ciara Deane, Constantine Katsoris, Fitzpatrick Hotel

Special thanks to our

MAKE A DIFFERENCE SPONSORS

The John P. Calamos, Sr. Foundation

Eileen Gill/Gary Franklin/George's Angels

Michael & Kimberly Naclerio

George Marcus/Marcus & Millichap

Orphanides & Associates

GOOD DEED SPONSORS

The Louis and Constance Lambran Foundation (Peter & Angie Lambros)

The Nicholas J and Anna K Bouras Foundation

The Cafe Royale Cultural Foundation

Irish American Partnership