Congratulations Stella & Jim Pappas!

2023 Leon Balaban Volunteer of the Year Award recipients

Congratulations to our Philoptochos chapter members Jim and Stella Pappas, who received the 2023 Leon Balaban Volunteer of the Year Award, in recognition of their decades of volunteer service in a broad array of ministries at Saint Spyridon. The award was presented to them at Saint Spyridon’s Annual Epiphany Luncheon held at the Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel on January 8, 2023.

Jim and Stella are both currently members of the Parish Council, and Stella sits on the Board of our Anthousa Chapter. It was noted that their volunteerism includes: GOYA, Choir, Festival Steering Committee, Annual Festival Volunteers, Narthex Duty Team, Epiphany Luncheon Committee, Baking Team for Philoptochos Pastry Sales, Chair of Christmas and Pascha Homebound Baskets, Sunday Fellowship Hour, and much more.

The Epiphany Luncheon also featured the Eighth Annual Cakes for A Cause Benefit in which Vasilopita cake centerpieces, baked by Philoptochos members, were purchased through a silent auction raising over $3,100. This year’s beneficiary was the Philoptochos Kids ‘n’ Cancer program, a ministry of our San Francisco Metropolis that provides support for children afflicted with cancer, and their families. Our Chapter is actively involved in supporting this program, each year hosting the Angel’s Christmas Party for Kids ‘n' Cancer families in our Cypress Room.

Photo: from left to right, Chapter Vice President Marilyn Yeatts, Jim Pappas, Stella Pappas, Parish Council President Jim Gilpin, Father Andrew Scordalakis.