Dimitri’s Scholarships
Donation protected
Dimitri, well-beloved diner owner of Dimitri’s Diner, generous donor to many local causes, mentor to his many employees, friend to many in Ridgefield and the surrounding communities, died on April 1, 2021.
Shortly after this 80th birthday, he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. Dimitri was no stranger to challenges. He and his wife immigrated to the United States in 1968. The challenges in the business world, success, then bankruptcy, then success again, were many. He worked hard at providing for his family and those around him. He faced the challenges with his health in the same way. He fought hard AND he worked to leave all his things in order before he passed.
For many years Dimitri had a vision of helping Ridgefield High School seniors by establishing two separate scholarship funds of $50,000 each. He planned that the core would be invested and earnings would be used for scholarships to be awarded for many years to come. Dimitri Scholarships are under the umbrella of Ridgefield Scholarship Group, Inc. For more than 20 years, Dimitri has provided 2 Ridgefield High School seniors with the Dimitri Athletic Scholarship (one male, one female) to help offset college expenses. He was well on his way to funding the Dimitri Academic Scholarships for 2 graduating seniors. Time ran out for him to fully fund this.
The fund is about $7000 short of Dimitri’s goal. Members of the Ridgefield Scholarship Group met with Kostas to see if a way could be found to cross that shortfall. It was decided to set up a GoFundMe for the general public to be part of this. Kostas committed to matching up to $3000 from Dimitri’s Diner. Donations beyond the goal will be split evenly between the 2 scholarship funds. Donations of any size are welcome.
This GoFundMe will be open from now until June15. The intention is to be able to assure disbursement of these 2 Dimitri Academic Scholarships this June-and in future years. It is a tribute to Dimitri for us collectively to help provide this on behalf of a man who offered so much.
Shortly after this 80th birthday, he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. Dimitri was no stranger to challenges. He and his wife immigrated to the United States in 1968. The challenges in the business world, success, then bankruptcy, then success again, were many. He worked hard at providing for his family and those around him. He faced the challenges with his health in the same way. He fought hard AND he worked to leave all his things in order before he passed.
For many years Dimitri had a vision of helping Ridgefield High School seniors by establishing two separate scholarship funds of $50,000 each. He planned that the core would be invested and earnings would be used for scholarships to be awarded for many years to come. Dimitri Scholarships are under the umbrella of Ridgefield Scholarship Group, Inc. For more than 20 years, Dimitri has provided 2 Ridgefield High School seniors with the Dimitri Athletic Scholarship (one male, one female) to help offset college expenses. He was well on his way to funding the Dimitri Academic Scholarships for 2 graduating seniors. Time ran out for him to fully fund this.
The fund is about $7000 short of Dimitri’s goal. Members of the Ridgefield Scholarship Group met with Kostas to see if a way could be found to cross that shortfall. It was decided to set up a GoFundMe for the general public to be part of this. Kostas committed to matching up to $3000 from Dimitri’s Diner. Donations beyond the goal will be split evenly between the 2 scholarship funds. Donations of any size are welcome.
This GoFundMe will be open from now until June15. The intention is to be able to assure disbursement of these 2 Dimitri Academic Scholarships this June-and in future years. It is a tribute to Dimitri for us collectively to help provide this on behalf of a man who offered so much.
Fundraising team (2)
Joyce Ligi
Organizer
Raised $900 from 11 donations
Ridgefield, CT
Christina Nolan
Team member
Raised $1,400 from 10 donations
This team raised $4,035 from 30 other donations.
