Our children aren’t just repeating the word philotimo. They aren’t just writing about it or sharing it on Instagram. They’re living it.

On November 18, 2026, children and their families will gather at Carnegie Diner in New York City to prepare, pack and personally deliver meals to New Yorkers in need. A gift of $20 sponsors one meal. Together, we’re raising $2,000 to sponsor 100 meals—and give our children an experience of service they can carry throughout their lives.

Carnegie Diner & Cafe: Our Valued Partner

Carnegie Diner & Cafe is a valued partner in bringing Project Philotimo to life. We are grateful to proprietor Stathis Antonakopoulos and the Carnegie Diner team for welcoming our children and families, sharing their hospitality, and helping create a hands-on experience of service. Their partnership gives our young volunteers a place to work together as they prepare and pack meals for neighbors in need.

Philotimo is a Greek value expressed through generosity, responsibility and care for others. For a child, those ideas become meaningful through experience: giving time, working alongside others, and seeing where that effort goes.

A father’s example. A son’s tribute. A tradition of giving.

Project Philotimo began in 2022, when Andreas Koutsoudakis brought an idea to the Greek America Foundation: honor his late father, Andreas, by continuing the generosity that had defined his life.

The elder Andreas was a beloved Tribeca restaurateur remembered for his open heart and care for people in need. His example lived in the way he treated others. His son wanted the next generation to experience that same spirit through service.

Roda Perperidis joined the effort in its inaugural year, bringing her children and her commitment to raising compassionate young people. Alongside Andreas, Kyriakos Perperidis and their families, she helped turn that tribute into a growing tradition of parents and children serving together.

At its heart, the project brings two purposes together: providing meals for people who need them and helping children discover the joy and responsibility of giving. A father’s legacy becomes something another generation can practice.

What that looked like last year

On November 26, 2025, our young volunteers rolled up their sleeves at Carnegie Diner and assembled more than 100 Thanksgiving dinners for the Hoboken Shelter. Children worked side by side, portioning food, packing meals and helping turn the community’s support into something people could receive that evening.

The photographs tell the story: children concentrating on the task in front of them, families working together, and bags of meals ready to leave the restaurant. Every completed meal represents time, teamwork and someone choosing to help.

This November, they’ll carry that example forward

Project Philotimo is the Greek America Foundation’s hands-on service program for pre-teen children. On November 18, children ages 12 and under will work alongside their parents or appointed guardians and the Carnegie Diner team, hosted by Stathis Antonakopoulos.

From 4 to 6 p.m., families will help prepare and pack the meals. At 6 p.m., the children and accompanying adults will depart to deliver what they have prepared. We are identifying shelter partners for this year’s effort; the purpose remains the same: serving New Yorkers in need with care and dignity.

Delivering the meals completes the experience. The children can connect the work they have done with the people and communities it supports. We want them to understand that service involves showing up, following through and treating every person with respect.

One community. One shared fundraiser.

The learning begins before the children arrive at the diner. Participating families will invite friends and relatives to sponsor meals, helping the children see how asking others to join an act of generosity can extend their own effort.

They will be joined in fundraising by Gen G, the Foundation’s leadership, philanthropy and service program for teenagers ages 13–18. Project Philotimo gives younger children opportunities to serve with their families; Gen G engages teenagers in their own work as young community leaders. Through this single fundraiser, both groups and the wider Greek America Foundation community can support the same meal effort.

Help us sponsor 100 meals

Our goal is $2,000 for 100 meals. Each $20 gift sponsors one meal:

• $20 sponsors one meal

• $100 sponsors five meals

• $200 sponsors ten meals

Your contribution supports the preparation, packaging and delivery of meals for New Yorkers in need through Project Philotimo. Donations benefit the Greek America Foundation, listed on GoFundMe under its legal name, Greek America Cultural and Educational Foundation, Inc.

You do not need to attend the event or be a Foundation member to contribute. Sponsor a meal, share this page, or invite someone you know to help our children reach their goal.

A father’s example continues through the children who carry it forward. Thank you for helping them live philotimo.

Photographs below show children and families preparing and packing meals during Project Philotimo in November 2025.