Philanthropy

Endowment Funds Held Through the Saskatoon Community Foundation

Several families and organizations within Saskatoon’s Greek community have established philanthropic endowment funds with the Saskatoon Community Foundation.  Endowment funds are created by donations  of cash or marketable securities.  The principal of the funds are retained  and invested by the Foundation in perpetuity; the annual earnings are then distributed to eligible charitable organizations in accordance with general or specific instructions provided when the fund was created.  Through endownment funds, families and organizations in the Saskatooon’s Greek community have established a legacy of financial support that will forever benefit specified organizations or interests in Saskatoon and beyond.

Bessey-Pontikes Family Fund

Left to right: Zoe Pontikes, Darlene Bessey, Ken Pontikes

Ken Pontikes and Darlene Bessey, along with their daughter Zoe Pontikes, have been active volunteers and believe strongly that they have a responsibility to participate and help create the kind of community they want to be a part of. They have given a lot of time and have been happy to do that as part of a community that they love.  Because of their fundamental belief in the importance of being engaged and active citizens, they worked with the Saskatoon Community Foundation to create a bequest, supplemented with annual contributions, for the Darlene Bessey and Ken Pontikes Family Fund. 

Darlene and Ken have chosen three organizations that are near to their hearts to benefit from their bequest: Meewasin Valley Authority, YWCA of Saskatoon, and Crossroads International. These organizations represent areas of tremendous importance to them: conservation and protection of the local environment in Saskatoon; providing shelter and support to women and children in crisis; and working for equality of women and girls and the eradication of poverty around the world. The Bessey-Pontikes Family Fund which is established through the Saskatoon Community Foundation, these organizes will each year receive on-going support through funding and building capacity. 

Caroline Kosmas Fund

Caroline Kosmas

Caroline Kosmas was an inspiration to everyone who met her. In her 26 years, she touched many lives and brightened the spirits of those around her.  She had completed her medical degree, but had also selflessly donated her time, energy and resources to her local and global community.

A few years ago, Caroline became friends with a student mother attending Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon. With friendship, guidance and support from Caroline, the young woman achieved academic success and went on to graduate as valedictorian of her class. Providing support, mentorship and education for young women are the key threads that connect Caroline’s tremendous spirit and the student-parents of the Jacoby Centre at Nutana Collegiate.

After Caroline’s passing, her friends, family and colleagues raised donations for the Caroline Kosmas Fund. Income from the fund will support the Jacoby Centre at Nutana Collegiate, an organization which helps teen parents to complete their education, learn parenting skills and have an equal chance to share in the life of our community. Through this fund, Caroline’s spirit of community leadership, generosity and compassion will live on forever.

Daughters of Penelope Telemachus Chapter 69 Fund

Members of Daughters of Penelope Telemachus 69 Chapter (1963)

Back row, left to right: Georgia Leakos, Tula Dedaskalou, Helen Chrones, CLeo Girgulis, Mary Matheos, Helen Arvanitis, Evangeline Danabassis, Myra Couros.  

Front row, Left to right: Mary Girgulis, Helen Karys, Lola Pontikes, Diane Nikolaou, Georgia Kokonas, Agatha Leakos

The Daughters of Penelope is the woman’s auxiliary of the Order of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association). The objectives of the Daughters of Penelope are to promote the social, ethical, and intellectual interests of its members; to perpetuate the study of Canadian ideals and encourage Hellenic study; to cultivate citizenship and patriotism towards the countries in which chapters exist; and to promote the dissemination of Hellenic culture and ideals while preserving the ideals and traditions of Hellenism as a contribution to the development of Canada.

The first Canadian chapter of the Daughters of Penelope was formed on May I, 1938 in Saskatoon. The Saskatoon Chapter took “Telemachus” as its name in honour of the mythological son of Odysseus and Penelope. By establishing this chapter in Saskatoon, the Daughters of Penelope became an international organization. It continued to be the only chapter in Canada until 1944 when a chapter was chartered in Winnipeg. Subsequently, chapters were formed from coast to coast, from Halifax to Victoria. 

The Daughters of Penelope Telemachus Chapter 69 Fund was established to provide annual financial support, on a rotating basis, to City Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, and Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

Golf Family Fund

Gus Golf

In honour of his late father, Gus A. Golf (Constantine A. Golfinopoulos), Peter Golf established the Golf Family Fund with Saskatoon Community Foundation. Gus died in 1975, but his legacy lives on in the community.  The Golf Family Fund will support St. Paul’s Hospital, in recognition of the excellent care Gus received while recovering from a stroke in the 1950s.  In addition, a portion of the fund supports Royal University Hospital.

Dr.  Jim Underhill Fund

Dr. Jim Underhill

Dr. Jim Underhill was an extraordinary man who lived well and approached each endeavour with the same passion that made him a successful surgeon.  Though he was born in the United States, Saskatoon was his home from early childhood.  

As a surgeon, his skills improved the lives of thousands of residents of Saskatoon, but most who encountered him are quick to point out that his caring and compassion were more important features of his approach to his work.  In his personal life, he was equally passionate about his family, his children, his friends and his hobbies.  He was an avid skier, sailor, motorcyclist, and pilot.  

When Jim passed away, his family, business colleagues and friends worked together to establish the Dr. Jim Underhill Fund in his memory.  The Fund will provide a lasting legacy to the contributions Jim made to his community and the love he shared with family and friends.  Annual income from the fund will support the purchase of a pediatric retinal camera in the Department of Ophthalmology ONIROat Saskatoon City Hospital.  Once this initial goal has been achieved, income from the fund will continue to support the many charities that Jim supported through his life.

ONIRO Fund

Dr. Effie Kutsogiannis and Randy Penner

Randy Penner and Effie Kutsogiannis created the ONIRO Fund to honour their love of our community and support for youth.   Not all youth in our community have the same opportunities.  Economic challenges and even location can impact their chance to participate in activities that can contribute to their development into adults.

The ONIRO Fund was created to give back to the community that has given so much to them, and to create opportunities for young people to develop their full potential and be all that they can be.  “ONIRO” is the Greek word for “Dream.”  Randy and Effie would like to give youth the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

Pontkes Famly Fund for Children and Youth

Left to Right:  Peter, Diane, Lola, and Ken Pontikes

Peter and Lola Pontikes were actively engaged as volunteers in community events such as the Greek Pavilion at Saskatoon Folkfest.  They were members of the Order of Ahepa and Daughters of Penelope (fraternal organizations serving the Greek diaspora) and were founding members, with Peter serving as the first president, of Koimisis tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Saskatoon.  Peter and Lola instilled their values of supporting community, philanthropy, and volunteerism in their son Ken and daughter Diane.

The Pontikes Family Fund for Children and Youth was established by contributions in 1995 from Peter, Lola, Ken, and Diane.  The Fund has grown in subsequent years through further contributions and through memorial tributes from friends at the time of Peter’s and Lola’s passing 2000 and 2014.

The Pontikes Family Fund is an extension of the family’s commitment to philanthropy, volunteerism, and leadership through many community organizations in Saskatoon.   It also reflects their interests, including the arts, immigrant-support, the natural environment, and community development.  The Fund encourages initiatives that build self-esteem, develop skills, and provide opportunities and experiences for children, youth and their families facing financial, physical, or other disadvantages.

Endowment Funds Held Through the University of Regina

Mario Coouros Memorial Bursary

The Mario Couros Memorial Bursary was established in 2017 to support new Canadians who are pursuiing a career in teaching at the University of Regina.  The busary was established by friends of Mario’s son, Dr. Alec Couros, from the #etmooc (educational technology and media: massive open online course) community.

Mario immigrated to Canada in 1957.  His first job was as a dishwasher in Moose Jaw.  Shortly afterwards, he moved to Saskatoon where he was employed at Golf’s Restaurant — first as a salad maker and later as a chef.  In 1959, he married Mary (Kalomira) Bezbes and together, they moved to Swift Current to operate a restaurant.  Less than a year later, they returned to Saskatoon where Mario worked as a chef at the Executive Hotel and Golf’s Steak House.

In 1966, Mario and Mary moved to Humboldt where they operated restaurants — most notably, the family-owned business, Mario’s Steak and Pizza House.

Mario died in 2013.