Melina Kanakaredes (Los Angeles, CA)
Hands down the biggest night in the Greek American community's history-- or at least in my lifetime. It was truly an honor to be a part of it and I look forward to many, many more. It is such an honor to win awards, but to win one that was voted by my own people is the biggest award I can win.

Tony Taxakis (Chicago, IL)
The event of our lifetime (or until the next one!)

Jim Gianopulos (Los Angeles, CA)
It was truly a magical and brilliantly executed event. A historic moment for Greek Americans that will be remembered for a long time. Looking forward the next awards!

Dr. George Carayannopoulos (Smithtown, NY)
A truly historic event!  The Gabby Awards were exactly what our community has been yearning for.  The acceptance speeches were filled with real emotion from the recipients, and I could tell that this award probably meant more to them than the many other awards they’ve received because this award was from their family, their Greek-American family. The evening was elegant and classy down to every small detail.

Nia Vardalos (Los Angeles, CA)
Fabulous event, very elegant and touching.

George Bliss (Chicago, IL)
The Gabby Awards shook this world on Friday Night!!! It could not have been any more spectacular!!

Georgia Logothetis (Chicago, IL)
It was an unforgettable night

Daskalopoulos Kostas (Chicago, IL)
The best event ever organized from a Greek American organization! Things are finally getting upgraded.

Eve Geroulis (Chicago, IL)
Superlative. Glamorous. Elegant. Touching. Proud. Noble. It was a remarkable event. I am honored to have been there and brimming with pride. Bravo. Bravo. Bravo.

Demae De Rocher (Minneapolis, MN)
Your purpose in celebrating achievements of Greek America was extraordinarily fulfilled as each presenter and honoree expressed not only their Greek pride, but their gratitude toward their parents for the roots they established here in America as Greek immigrants emphasizing education, hard work, goodness and humanity...and all with Greek passion. At the Gabbys, celebrities, presenters, honorees, and audience members were felt as one - all as children of Greek parents, embedded with pride in our ancestral heritage, and an appreciation for the country of opportunity that our parents felt privileged to live in. Greek America's pride shined on June 19, 2009, and it was a privilege to be there. Well done!

Annette Sioulas (Athens, Greece)
What an amazing night! I was so proud to be a part of the event. Bravo sas!

Carlene Soumas (New York, NY)
Congratulations on an enormous success!

Rosemary Strong Cowley (Chicago, IL)
This is probably just one of a million emails you'll be receiving about what an extraordinary event the Gabbys were! You orchestrated a most memorable and enjoyable evening.

Georgios Georgiou (Chicago, IL)
Congratulations on a great event.  I've always been proud to be a Greek and last Friday's event was one more example of how much stronger we can be united as a community. Last week marked my 14 years in the States and seeing so many Greeks together from all walks of life for the first time was quite moving. My favorite moment was Olympia Dukakis telling her story. Thank God the cameras were pointing at her and not the crowd because I would have made a fool of myself :-)

Peggy Chiampas (Chicago, IL)
Congratulations!! From the minute Glykeria started singing Diaspora while the video montage was playing (as I started balling) I knew I was experiencing a life-altering event. I have never been more moved or proud of who I am and where I have come from. You succeeded in blowing the naysayers out of the water. The entire evening was magical and transforming. I have heard that comment from everyone who attended. People who had given up on participating in Greek events expressed a renewed interest to get involved in our community again on both a local and national level. The defining moment for me that evening was Glykeria singing and Melina Kanakaredes  jumping onstage dancing a zeibekiko joined subsequently by her koumbaro Jim Gianopulos from Fox Films!!!!!!!! Our DNA on stage in all its historic glory. I started crying all over again. Please know that you have inspired me!

Andreas Akaras (Baltimore, MD)
To commend you, to congratulate you, to say job well done are words too little to satisfy the accolades you deserve for putting on the Gabby Awards. From a single page Greek American newsletter out of Pittsburgh, to the Greek America Magazine, to the global Gabby Awards you have proven a zealous defender of Hellenism and an ardent advocate for Greek America. In all of these endeavors (and so many more) you have shown the way by offering up information and broad ideas that help unite Greek America and that explain Hellenism in contemporary terms.  Perhaps most importantly, by challenging Greek America and the wider Greek world to be inclusive, open minded and outward looking, you are grabbing the attention of those who are not yet Philhellenes and compelling them to take stock of this ancient, worthy and vibrant culture. Bravo and always, Axios!

Frank & Rani Prokos (Chicago, IL)
The Gabbys were outstanding.  The awards and the after party were beyond our expectations. It was an event that made us proud to be Greek and inspired us to better Greeks.  It was a "polished", chic and  the kefi was unbelievable! It was nice to see Greeks from across the spectrum celebrating achievements!

Alexis Fasseas (Chicago, IL)
Just wanted to tell you what an AMAZING job you did with the Gabbys last night.  Each detail was so well thought out and executed.  It was emotional and made us all feel so connected. Bravo! Thank you for doing so much to bring people together--I hope you were able to have as much fun as we were.

Fotios Piniros (New York, NY)
Outstanding! Beyond my wildest expectations.

Kiki Vale (Chicago, IL)
KUDOS on a magnificent and extremely well organized, well executed evening that reminded me of how proud I am to be Greek. The Gabbys were star studded, and so much fun! Thank you for going the extra mile to create a magical and memorable evening that I wished could have gone on all weekend!

Mariyana Spyropoulos (Chicago, IL)
Congrats to the whole team for an amazing event. You really raised the bar for our community. Kudos.

Alex Costakis (Los Angeles, CA)
This was an amazing event! The pride in our Greek American heritage as expressed by each and every award presenter and recipient was heartfelt and meaningful. The underlying theme of our shared values of education, hard work and having fun, resonated throughout the evening. Hard work was clearly displayed by the Gabby Award production team and the hosts. They did an incredible job. Bravo!

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