Projects
Loukoumi foundation Never Forget Letter Mailbox in Gander Newfoundland Canada
It was an inspiring and emotional day in the Town of Gander Newfoundland Canada as The Loukoumi Make a Difference Foundation unveiled its Never Forget Letter Mailbox for families who lost love ones on 9/11. The mailbox was placed adjacent to an original piece of steel from the World Trade Center donated to the town of Gander. We now invite residents and tourists from around the world to place their Never Forget Letters into this mailbox, which is beautifully decorated with artwork by the students of Gander Elementary School. This mailbox will stand as a symbol that we must never forget those that we lost on 9/11 and also as a symbol that we must always remember the incredible kindness shown by the Town of Gander to the 7000 airline passengers whose planes were diverted to Gander that day, which became the story of the award-winning musical Come From Away.
INSPIRING STORIES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
In October 2019, the Loukoumi Make a Difference Foundation released the book, Inspiring Stories That Make A Difference in partnership with the award winning musical Come From Away.
Come From Away tells the story of how over 7,000 airline passengers were diverted on 9-11 to the small Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland because the US airspace was closed. For almost a week, the residents of this small town embraced these stranded passengers showing them kindness by welcoming them into their homes, cooking for them and helping them survive this tragedy. Inspiring Stories builds on the message of kindness and features the essays of 75 children around the world, including 22 from Gander, who are paying it forward one good deed at a time and changing the world.
Celebrating the launch of the book with a Loukoumi Good Deed Bus in Gander, children visited the same stops and did good deeds at the very places that their parents and grandparents did on 9-11.
Coming in April 2025, our sequel, Inspiring Stories That Make A Difference 2 by more than 125 children and young adults representing 30 countries worldwide.
Make a Difference with Loukoumi Television Special
Loukoumi Foundation’s first project was a national TV Special called Make a Difference with Loukoumi that aired in October 2014 on FOX stations nationwide including FOX-5 in New York and Washington DC. The special, hosted by celebrity chef Cat Cora, taught children about making a difference including segments on Bullying Awareness and Dream Day Contest winner, ten year old aspiring Broadway star, Sophia, who spent a day with Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis and sang “Don’t Stop Believin’” from the Rock of Ages musical stage. Also featuring Olympia Dukakis, Morgan Freeman, Nia Vardalos, Gloria Gaynor, Al Roker and several Disney Channel stars. View here.
Environmental ProjectS at the Rye Nature Center & with new york city partnerships for parks
The Loukoumi Foundation teams up with organizations worldwide including the Rye Nature Center, the New York City Partnerships for Parks and Nature’s Cradle Nursery engaging children in park clean-ups and park beautification projects. These events teach children the value of preserving the environment.
In other cities including Aguada, Puerto Rico we clean beaches, plant trees and teach children about reducing plastic pollution in our oceans.
supporting animals and shelters
The Loukoumi Make a Difference Foundation teams up schools around the world to support local animal shelters by bringing supplies, donating funds, making blankets for shelters and hosting charity dog walks. Some of our partnering shelters include Animal Care Centers of New York City, The Yonkers Animal Shelter, the New Rochelle Humane Society, Orphans of the Storm in Illinois, the Los Angeles County Shelter, the North Shore Animal League and shelters in Lake Como, Italy and Athens, Greece.
For further information please email us at info@loukoumifoundation.org
LOUKOUMI PARTNERS WITH PITCH IN FOR BASEBALL & SOFTBALL
The Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation and Pitch In For Baseball & Softball are joining forces to create a field of dreams for your community. The two non-profits accept grant applications from teams and communities in need of equipment and field renovations.
Watch project leader Constantine Katsoris as he discusses how you can get involved.
mets summer food drive at citi field
The Loukoumi Foundation teams up with The NY Mets annually for their summer food drive donating over 1000 items to The River Fund NY. Thanks to also Grand Marshall Mike Naclerio, Lincoln of Queens. Also in July 2023 the Loukoumi Foundation presented a Loukoumi Make A Difference Award at the game to Haley and Pete Alonso and the Alonso Foundation for all their do for children and communities.
Haley Alonso accepts Loukoumi Award
SENDING POSITIVE THOUGHTS INTO THE UNIVERSE WITH CLUB FOR THE FUTURE
The Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation sends kindness into the universe with Blue Origin’s Club for the Future where you can send a postcard. Write a kindness saying or positive thought on the postcard and then send it to someone to brighten their day. Club for the Future will launch it to space and back on a New Shepard rocket, and return it to you (or someone else) stamped "Flown to Space." Watch Beckett's story!
LOUKOUMI FOUNDATION EXHIBIT AT THE WESTCHESTER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
The Loukoumi Make a Difference Foundation began a literacy and community service program at The Make A Difference With Loukoumi Exhibit at The Westchester Children's Museum featuring guest readers of the Loukoumi book series and other books aligned with the Foundation’s mission.
The Loukoumi Make a Difference Foundation has donated $20,000 to this initiative.
Loukoumi Saves a Park premiered at The Westchester Children's Museum in the Make A Difference With Loukoumi Exhibit Space.