GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, presents a check to the Director of Pericles Greek School, Anna Panagiotopoulos, and the Chairman of Pericles Greek School, Christos Karountzos, in support of the Greek School at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, presents a check to the Principal of Pythagoras Greek School, Demetra Malamis, and Parish Council Board Member, Athena Lykouretzos, in support of the Greek School at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst.

Thank you video from Plutarchos Academy of St Spyridon Church for GARA's 2025 Donation to support the Greek School.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, presents a check to the Principal of Plutarchos Academy, Marianna Haniotakis, in support of the Greek School at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church.

GARA Business Operations Manager, Alexandra Palmisano Moll, presents a check to the Executive Director of Hellenic American Academy, Effie Gountanis, and the Principal of Hellenic American Academy, Paul Louis, in support of the Greek School.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, presents a check to Koraes Elementary’s Head of School, Jim Letsos, in support of the Greek School.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, and GARC President & CEO, Christine Simms, proudly present a check to Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society President, Yannis Economou, supporting Orpheus’ mission to preserve and promote Greek heritage through music, dance, workshops, and cultural education.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, presents a check to the Principal of Sophocles Greek School, Konstantinos Stavros, in support of the Greek School at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, presents a check to the Director of Greek School at St. Nectarios, Katerina Karavitis, and the Vice President of St. Nectarios’s Parish Council, Paul Sambanis, in support of the Greek School at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, presents a check to the Director of Ascension Greek School, Maria Theodoropulu, in support of the Greek School at Ascension Greek Orthodox Church.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, presents a check to the Greek School Director at Holy Apostles, Zoe Koultourides, in support of the Greek School at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church.

GARA Business Operations Manager, Alexandra Palmisano Moll, presents a check to the Principal of Greek School Sofia, Erini Trigkas, in support of the Greek School at Greek Community Church.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, presents a check to the Principal of Guardian Angel, Maria Kroll, in support the Greek Schools, Guardian Angel and Pythagoras at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, presents a check to the Director of Aristotle, Magda Kelesidi, in support of the Greek School at Holy Taxiarhai & St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, and GARA Board Member, Steve Theofanous, present a check to St. Iakovos Retreat Center President, Ted Pappas and Fundraising Director of the Metropolis, Jayne McGrath to support the Fanari Camp Food Donation for 2025 at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, and GARC President, CEO, Christine Simms, present a check to Saints Peter & Paul Greek School Director, Stella Theoharopoulos, in support of the Greek School at Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church.

GARA Chairman, Sam Markos, and GARC President, CEO, Christine Simms, present a check to Athena Academy Principal, Dimitrios Georgakopoulos, in support of the Greek School.

The Greek American Restaurant Association proudly sponsored the National Hellenic Museum’s Trial of Themistocles in April 2025—an evening of history, justice, and community. Photo Credit: Elios Photography

Members of the Greek American Restaurant Association and their families came together to represent our community with pride, joy, and unity at the 2025 Greektown Parade—an unforgettable celebration of heritage and independence.

GARA Treasurer, Nick Gountanis, presents a check to Rev. Fr. Thomas Alatzakis, in support of the Sunday School Program at St. Demetrios Libertyville.

GARA Treasurer, Nick Gountanis, presents a check to Maria Kroll, Principal of Guardian Angel Orthodox Day School, and Maria Mavromati, Greek Language Director of Guardian Angel Orthodox Day School in support of the Greek Schools at St. Johns.

The Greek American Restaurant Association (GARA) generously donated $5,000 to the National Hellenic Society, which funds The Heritage Greece Program. This two-week cultural and educational immersion experience is designed for Greek American college students, aiming to reconnect them with their heritage, roots, language, traditions, and Greek identity.

In 2011, the Greek American Restaurant Association (GARA) proudly contributed to the establishment of the National Hellenic Museum. In recognition of GARA's support, the museum prominently features a sign in the foyer that acknowledges the association's generous contributions

The Runners sculpture, a 16-foot artwork at O’Hare International Airport, was funded by the Athens Committee of CSCI with generous contributions from GARA. Demetrios Kozonis, Chair of the Athens Committee at the time, remarked, “This gift symbolizes the significant Greek population in Chicago and highlights the enduring history of friendship, goodwill, and cultural exchange between Chicago and its Sister City of Athens.

His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago and Mr. Paul Loupakos, President of the Saint Iakovos Retreat Center, present Steve Theofanous with a plaque in gratitude for GARA’s generous $50,000 donation sponsoring the Saint Iakovos Retreat Center Outdoor Patio

GARA Treasurer, Nick Gountanis, presents a check to Maria Kroll, Principal of Guardian Angel Orthodox Day School, and Maria Mavromati, Greek Language Director of Guardian Angel Orthodox Day School in support of the Greek Schools at St. Johns.

GARA President, Sam Markos, presents a check to Dimitris Georgakopoulos, President of Athena Educational Academy, in support of the Greek School.

GARA donated Chicago Fire tickets to GARC members for Greek Heritage Night.