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Dance Program for Elementary School Students:

A Story of Giving Back And Finding Joy

By: Julia Katsoris

My name is Julia Katsoris and I am a sophomore at Eastchester High School and a dancer at Studio B Dance Center in Westchester County, New York. This Summer, I came up with the idea to volunteer and start a dance program at the Anne Hutchinson Elementary School, the primary school I graduated from five years ago, to teach the students a dance that they would later perform at a nursing home for the holidays. I taught a group of eight girls over a two month period in preparation for the performance. Many of the girls had no prior dance experience and were new to the concept of learning a dance with the objective of later performing it in front of an audience; however, the dancers showed up each week, put in the effort, and when it came time to take the stage, experienced great success. This experience has been so fulfilling and being able to witness the progress of each dancer, week after week, has been incredibly rewarding; in addition, using my passion to inspire others has given me an overwhelming sense of joy and accomplishment.

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Saving Acres of Rainforests in Ecuador

by Justin Sather

My name is Justin Sather. I am 13 years old and live in California. In kindergarten, I learned frogs were dying from pollution, pesticides, rising temperatures, and people cutting down their homes. When I discovered frogs are indicator species, I knew it was a clear sign that our planet needs help. When I learned that almost half the rainforests have been destroyed and could disappear in 100 years, I really wanted to make a difference. I joined a group called Reserva that has helped me protect some of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world. So far, I’ve raised $40,000 and protected 100 acres in Ecuador. I had a Run for the Rainforest, a Raffle for the Rainforest... Read More

Let’s save the rainforests in Ecuador!

That’s what students did at IS 77 through the Loukoumi after-school programming with the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council. For each letter and drawing expressing why we should preserve the environment, the Reserva Land Trust will donate $3 to help save the rainforests in Ecuador. 93 letters preserve an acre. Thank you students for a great job!

Click Here To Also Read About The Loukoumi Foundation's Beach Cleaning Efforts in Puerto Rico

My Experience with The Loukoumi Foundation

By Maggie Hynes

I have been a member of the Loukoumi Kids Club Board for almost two years now. In this article I am going to talk about my past experiences with this foundation and why this program helps the world we live in!

This past June, classmates from my school, Anne Hutchinson Elementary, visited the Yonkers Animal Shelter. We donated supplies for the cats and dogs. We also got a tour of the facility and got to see all of the animals. I brought my dog Skittles (Keeping in mind she is a black lab, which is such an ironic name for her) and we had such a great experience. If it weren't for the Loukoumi Foundation, Founder Nick Katsoris, and the kind staff of the Yonkers Animal Shelter, none of this would have happened. I loved seeing the animals, watching them doing tricks, barking at the other dogs, and making us laugh. It was great to donate the supplies so that the animals could have toys, food, and treats. That day was so amazing for everyone there and I felt like we made a difference. Read More

RECREATING THE FUTURE

Engineering for the Environment

by The Parallel Projects

The Parallel Projects is a Global Campaign of students from the United States and Africa working together "in parallel" to create solutions for a safer and greener world. The students are working on projects to “RECREATE” the future to solve problems such as plastic pollution, deforestation, unsustainable living habits, and climate change. Read more

Loukoumi Good Deed Event at KPMG

KPMG's LRC (Legal, Regulatory and Compliance) Pro Bono and Community Impact Advisory Council welcomed Loukoumi to their annual Holiday Community Event. Colleagues from NY, NJ & DC participated in 3 initiatives including making cards for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, writing Never Forget letters for 9/11 families, and providing gifts for The Floating Hospital's Candy Cane Lane Initiative. Thank you Nina McAdoo and KPMG for making a difference with Loukoumi.

IS 77 Holds Bake Sale To Support Animal Shelters

Great bake sale at IS 77 in Ridgewood Queens as the students raised almost $300 for supplies for an animal shelter as part of the Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation’s after-school programming with the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council. Wonderful job everyone!

ArtsWestchester Intergenerational Art Classes

The Loukoumi Foundation held three special art classes this Fall at The Fountains at RiverVue senior home with the Anne Hutchinson School students as part of the Loukoumi Foundation’s “Making A Difference Through The Arts” program, made possible by the statewide community Regrants program, a regrant program of the New York State Council of the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State legislature, and administered by Artswestchester.

Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens Visits Seniors

Another beautiful day in the Loukoumi Foundation’s Adopt a Nursing Home Program as the students from the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens visited the Regal Heights Rehabilitation and Care Center spreading holiday cheer . The students brought cards for the residents, served ice cream, and sang carols, inspiring beaming smiles from the residents and the students. Take a look at these heartwarming smiles. And the greatest part of it all was the students asking to visit again soon!

Visit to St Catherine’s Orphanage in Mumbai, India

By Aidan Savitt

I am a sophomore at Union College, and for the 2023 Winter Mini-term, I had the pleasure of visiting India. We explored the cultural and religious aspects of India and visited multiple cities: New/Old Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Agra, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Kishengarh, Goa, Mumbai. This program emphasizes the cultural immersion as we traveled and met many different individuals with a variety of backgrounds. We partook in many ancient religious rituals (primarily Hindu, along with Sikh and Muslim). We took our classes before the trip and the three weeks of this program was travel and sightseeing, plus a special visit to St Catherine’s Orphanage in Mumbai. We were warmly welcomed by the kids of all ages between 5-12. We played cricket, badminton, soccer and tag. It was a wonderful experience filled with pure happiness and a lot of smiles. 

UNITING SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD

"Being a member of the Loukoumi Good Deed Council means actively participating in sharing the positive impact our school creates in our community and learning about the wonderful projects all over the world. It's an opportunity that teaches me the power that even the smallest acts of kindness can be very impactful. I'm thrilled to connect with students from various schools worldwide, united by our shared dedication to the Loukoumi Foundation’s cause. Joining the monthly Loukoumi Zoom meetings fills me with excitement and purpose, knowing that together, we're making a meaningful difference."

By Halley Bou, Grade 8

Our Lady of Grace School, Bronx, NY

Join Us Monthly For Our Loukoumi Good Deed of the Month Zoom Program Uniting Children Worldwide. To sign up email us at [email protected]

INDORE, INDIA

MAYAGUEZ, PUERTO RICO

GO TEAM LOUKOUMI

The Loukoumi Foundation has 100 runners participating in the Princess 5k at Walt Disney World on Friday, February 23, 2024. Join our fundraising efforts to Make A Difference with Loukoumi at the 2024 Disney Princess 5K! Donate