June 2025 News & Updates
Summer Greetings to one and all!
We hope that this message finds you well and that you all had a wonderful June. From church festivals to end of year parties, Father’s Day outings to graduation ceremonies, June is certainly a month chock full of celebration and activity! For us here on campus, June is always marked most prominently by our annual Saint Basil Academy Graduation. It is one of the most anticipated days of our year when we gather as a community with friends from near and far to celebrate the accomplishments of our beloved children.
We had fantastic turnout (despite the torrential rain!) and were honored to host His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Consul General of Greece Iphigenia Kanara, members of the Saint Basil board of trustees, National Philoptochos representatives, clergy, elected officials, local leaders and so many other friends and supporters. One of the many highlights of the day was the keynote address given by Saint Basil alumna Eliud Suarez whose incredibly moving speech brought the house to tears and received a standing ovation. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support our children and helped make it a day to remember.
The week after graduation, we had another huge milestone: the grand opening of our amazing new Sensory Room sponsored by the District 6 Maids of Athena! This incredible project was spearheaded by District 6 Governor Sophia Theodorou, alongside her fellow Lodge members Michelle Papandrea, Styliani Rallis, and Laina Tzanides. The fundraising efforts for the project were led exclusively by the Maids of Athena District 6. Their unwavering efforts have created an absolutely amazing therapeutic space for the children of Saint Basil, and we cannot overstate how grateful we are. Thank you, Sophia, all the Maids, and everyone in the District 6 Family!
The final weeks of June were filled with various end of school events, starting summer camps, and officially welcoming summer. This year went by so fast, and it has been a joy witnessing how much our children have grown. As we look toward the fall and the year ahead, we are filled with hope and excitement. In the mean time, we are planning on making the most out of these precious summer days!
Thank you so much for being part of our extended Saint Basil Family. We are here because of the support of friends like you. Sending love, gratitude, and the very best wishes for an amazing summer!
—PS. Make sure to check out our new Walk-a-thon date below. Hopefully the fall colors will be peaking then so you can see the changing leaves in all their glory!
Please Join Us!
New Date for the 2025 Saint Basil Walk-a-thon!
Saturday, October 18th
11AM–2PM
Did You Know?
There is a small uninhabited island in the Hudson River that is very close to Saint Basil called Constitution Island. If you have ever taken in the view of the Hudson and West Point Academy from campus, then you have definitely seen it. The island was once home to the Warner family in the 1800s, and Anna Bartlett Warner, author of the American hymn, Jesus Loves Me, lived there for many years. At this year’s SBA graduation, two of our children performed Jesus Loves Me both in song and in sign language. It was truly beautiful, and if you’d like to see a video of the children performing Jesus Loves Me, click here!
Support Our Work
As a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity, Saint Basil Academy depends upon the financial support of its beloved friends and donors. Our supporters contribute in many different ways, from monetary and material donations to naming Saint Basil as a beneficiary in life insurance and estate planning. Saint Basil Academy also has several earmarked funds in place for therapeutic art classes and outdoor excursions. Sponsoring a resident, becoming a host family, and/or referring a child to Saint Basil Academy are other vital ways of providing support as well. When you give to Saint Basil Academy, you are helping a child in need in a powerful way.
“Everyone looks for the good, therefore everyone looks for God.”
Saint Basil the Great of Caesarea
© Saint Basil Academy
© Saint Basil Academy