A sold out crowd of Greeks and those who love them turned the James Burden Mansion in New York City’s posh Upper East Side into a Greek mardi gras celebration on March 5th. The Greek America Foundation for Education and Culture hosted the 2016 Blue Ball, a Venetian-style masquerade and casino night.
The funds raised will go to Kivotos Tou Kosmou, a charity in Greece that supports abandoned children and single mothers.
Guests checked in from all corners of the United States and Canada for the sold out event.
Food was donated by New York City’s famed Periyali Restaurant, the oldest and longest-running Greek restaurant in Manhattan. The bar was donated by another NYC-favorite, Nerai Restaurant. Wine was shipped from Crete via Toronto’s Kolonaki Group and Steve Kriaris, a long-time supporters of the foundation’s efforts and desserts— complete with the Blue Ball logo were donated by Georgetown Cupcake’s sisters, Katherine and Sophie Kallinis, also long-time friends and supporters of the foundation.
A silent auction raised thousands of dollars with guests bidding on hotel packages, artwork, olive oil packages and other Greek-inspired gifts, donated by the foundation’s supporters throughout the world.
A feverish casino tournament was taking place all night to see who would win the night’s casino prizes— including the top prize at the Santorini Grace Hotel, donated by the Libra Group.
At the end of the night, all guests were treated to a gift bag, compliments of Costa Navarino in Messinia that contained a tin of their extra virgin olive oil and other items.
DONATIONS ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE ONGOING FUNDRAISING EFFORT FOR THE CHARITY