WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF THE GREEK AMERICAN TIMES | | GARCC Annual Fashion Show | |
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Dear Friends and Supporters,
Mark your calendars—we're just one month away from an evening of elegance, glamour, and heartfelt giving at the 2026 GARCC Annual Fashion Show!
This year's event, themed "French Riviera," promises stunning runway looks from top designers (courtesy of Zzazz Productions), delicious cuisine, wonderful fellowship, fun prizes, and the joy of coming together to support our residents at the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Centre.
We hope you received our postcard with the exciting "Save the Date" details for Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Chateau Ritz in Niles, IL (5:30 PM – 9:00 PM). If you haven't received it yet or would like more information, reach out—we'd love to make sure you're in the loop!
This special night raises vital funds for exceptional care, rehabilitation services, therapies, and programs that combat elder mistreatment while honoring the dignity and spirit of our residents. Your support—whether through tickets, sponsorships, donations, or attendance—makes all the difference in creating a loving, supportive home for our elders.
A huge thank you in advance to Chairwoman Eleni Bousis, our dedicated fashion show committee (including amazing chair ladies Efthimia Lalios, Eva Svigos, Athena Toliopoulos & Dr. Angie Beltsos), board, volunteers, staff, and everyone helping bring this event to life. Your passion turns generosity into real impact!
We would love to stay in touch with you. Please email us your preferred address (or confirm your current one), and we will add you to our mailing list for updates, invitations, and more ways to get involved.
Thank you so much to everyone who has already supported this season by donating—you are truly appreciated!
Thank you from all our residents, staff, board, and volunteers!
We can't wait to see you there—let's make this another unforgettable celebration of style, community, and care.
| | | | (2/4/26) Tonight's event has been Postponed! | | A MESSAGE FROM OUR ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT | | |
Greek American Rehabilitation & Care Centre
January News & Happenings Newsletter
January has been a lively and heartwarming month in our home, filled with cherished traditions, meaningful visits, and joyful moments shared among residents, staff, and friends of our community.
A Sweet Start to the New Year: Vasilopita Celebration
We were delighted to welcome many visitors as we gathered for the cutting of the traditional Greek Vasilopita. The room was full of excitement as everyone waited to see who would discover the lucky coin for 2026. A heartfelt thank‑you goes to the Philoptochos ladies of St. Haralambos for generously providing the Vasilopita and sharing it with our residents and staff during Thursday’s liturgy. Their presence and kindness made the celebration even more special.
Daily Joys in Our Coffee Shop
Our beautiful coffee shop continues to be a favorite gathering place. Residents enjoy their daily coffee, warm conversations, and the simple pleasure of spending time together. It’s a cozy corner of our home where friendships grow and laughter is shared.
Outings & Activities
Winter weather limited our outings this month, though we were still able to enjoy our meaningful visits to church. Inside the Centre, residents stayed active with a variety of programs designed to keep spirits high and minds engaged.
Delicious Treats & Sweet Surprises
We extend our warmest thanks once again to the Philoptochos ladies for treating our residents to an assortment of delicious new desserts. Their generosity brought smiles to many faces and added a sweet touch to our January days.
Music, Movement & Wellness
Music continues to fill our halls thanks to the wonderful programs led by Heather and Marek. Their performances spark memories, joy, and plenty of sing‑along moments. Residents also enjoyed Chair Yoga with Jerry, staying active and energized through gentle stretching and movement that supports both body and mind.
Looking Ahead to February
As we welcome February, we hope for warmer weather and the opportunity to enjoy more outings together. We are also looking forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day.
With warm regards,
Anna Marie Papadopoulos
Life Enrichment Director
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A heartfelt thank you to the Ladies Philoptochos of Saint John the Baptist in Des Plaines!
They recently visited GARCC to present a generous donation check to Administrator Dino Varnavas. The gift was made possible through proceeds from their Blankets of Love Giving Tree during the holiday season, as well as funds raised from their spring soirée.
We are truly grateful for their continued support and kindness toward our residents.
Save the Date! The Ladies Philoptochos of Saint John’s next event is Saturday, May 2, 2026 — a Mad Hatter Tea Party! Stay tuned for more details.
Special thanks to Pat Kladis, Sandy Sianis, Irene Gritsonis-Herr (pictured here), and an enormous thank you to their wonderful President, Youla (Ilioula) Karanikolas and all the generous, dedicated ladies of the Philoptochos.
Your support makes such a meaningful difference — thank you from all of us at the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Centre!
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A Blessed Start to the New Year at GARCC!
In January, we were honored to host a beautiful Divine Liturgy, a memorial service, and the traditional blessing of our nursing home, followed by the joyful cutting of the Vasilopita to welcome the New Year!
This special gathering allowed us to:
- Bless our facility and all who call it home,
- Hold a heartfelt memorial for our longtime, beloved donor,
- And celebrate the Vasilopita tradition — a cherished custom honoring St. Basil the Great, symbolizing hope, sweetness, and blessings for the year ahead.
A sincere thank you to Fr. Nick Anton for leading us in worship and bringing his warmth and guidance to our community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us — your presence made the day even more meaningful.
Happy New Year to all! May 2026 be filled with health, joy, peace, and countless blessings.
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A big thank you to our, GARCC Adminstrator, Dino Varnavas for representing our Home in mid January at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago seen here alongside His Eminence Metropolitan Nathaniel, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago honoring the tradition for the Vasilopita cutting ceremony.
Thank you for having us. We did not win the coin but when we celebrate together, everyone wins! ️
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We Love Our Family Visits!
At GARCC, family visits bring so much joy and warmth to our home. Our facility is more than just a place for residents—it’s also a true “home away from home” for our dedicated staff.
We wholeheartedly welcome families at any time. Your presence brightens the days of our residents and reminds everyone of the love and connections that matter most.
One of the greatest motivating factors for our team is knowing we are part of a close-knit community where families feel comfortable, supported, and truly at home. When you visit, you help strengthen that sense of family for everyone here.
Thank you for being such an important part of the GARCC family—we’re grateful for every moment you share with us.
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Women’s Auxiliary Meeting – A Highlight of January!
This past January, our wonderful Women’s Auxiliary gathered for an inspiring meeting. The highlight was getting to see the new PhysioGate in action.
The ladies learned firsthand how this innovative equipment will benefit our nursing home residents—particularly those recovering from strokes—by supporting strength, mobility, balance, and rehabilitation in a safe, effective way.
A huge heartfelt thank you to the amazing women of the Women’s Auxiliary for making this life-changing equipment possible. Your generosity will bring real hope, progress, and joy to so many residents every single day.
We also want to send a special thank you to Paul Kouris for generously catering our lunch from Mykonos Greek Restaurant—delicious as always. We truly appreciate your continued support and kindness.
Thank you all for being such an incredible part of our GARCC family!
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Please follow us on Facebook for so many more pictures, videos, and updates!
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR RESIDENTS! | | | | |
Peter M. Feb 02
Nic V. Feb 02
Sophia S. Feb 05
Angeline A. Feb 08
Peter B. Feb 08
Peggy Mc. Feb 10
Maria R. Feb 11
Niki C. Feb 13
Maria G. Feb 14
Stavroula P. Feb 16
Andriana D. Feb 19
Theodora K. Feb 20
Artemisia P. Feb 20
James P. Feb 22
Louis T. Feb 23
Diasenio P. Feb 23
Marina A. Feb 26
| | | A small monthly gift. A lifetime of care. Become a GARCC Guardian. | | Support Bold Resilient Women and Our Shared Causes! | | |
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We’re excited to share the full list of retailers where Chairwoman Eleni Palivos Bousis's inspiring debut book, Bold Resilient Women: Women in a Global Arena, is now available. As Chairwoman of the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Centre (GARCC) for over 25 years, Eleni has dedicated her life to uplifting our communities—please shop from these stores and support the causes that matter most: our people, our elders, vulnerable children, and groundbreaking cancer research.
This book celebrates the strength, courage, and unbreakable spirit of women who turn adversity into triumph. Her mission is simple yet profound: to raise vital funds for deeply personal charitable causes close to her heart.
Best of all—100% of the proceeds from book sales go directly to the charity of your choice (or to support organizations making a real difference, including those Eleni champions).
Here’s where you can find it:
Exciting news: Eleni's second book is already in the works—stay tuned for more inspiration and impact!
Thank you for your support—every purchase helps empower causes that uplift our communities.
Let's spread resilience and generosity together!
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We're thrilled to announce that the Greek American Rehabilitation & Care Centre is a proud 2025 grant recipient from the Hellenic Foundation!
This generous funding enable us to acquire the innovative OmniCycle® Connect Advanced Active-Assist therapeutic cycle, enhancing rehabilitation for our seniors and patients with mobility challenges by improving strength, coordination, and overall quality of care.
| | | | Proud to be recognized year after year as one of Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes in Illinois! This repeated honor reflects our unwavering commitment to exceptional, dignified care for our residents. Thank you to our dedicated staff, families, and community for making it possible. | | |
As part of our efforts to enhance communication and provide up-to-date information, we encourage all community members to send us their email addresses.
By transitioning to digital communication, we aim to reduce printing costs and ensure that you receive timely updates and important announcements directly to your in-box. This change will help us stay connected and keep you informed about the latest news and events at GARCC.
Click the button below to submit your Email.
Thank you for your support!
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STOCK OR REAL ESTATE DONATIONS
Please support us by donating appreciated stock or real estate to the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Centre, Inc. and be able to take a tax advantaged income tax deduction.
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FREE ESTATE PLANNING
Free basic Estate Planning for supporters of the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Centre is now available. Click the button below to learn more.
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