Community Corner

Tina Vasila Callas, owner of Tina’s Trees, was honored as “Mother of the Year” by the Philoptohos Society of Saint Sophia Cathedral at their annual Mother’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show, a major fundraising event for Philoptohos’ charitable work, on May 9, 2015

Tina and her husband, Steve Callas, have owned and operated Tina’s Trees, a Christmas tree lot in Sherman Oaks for the past 38 years.  They recently opened an additional location in Calabasas.

Mrs. Callas has been a longtime member of the Philoptohos (translated as “Friends of the Poor”) Society contributing her skills and talents in a variety of ways including her serving on the Board as treasurer and chairing many charitable and fundraising events.

She has played a leadership role in the Saint Sophia Foundation’s campaign for building expansion that resulted in the construction of the beautiful new Saint Sophia Huffington Center, site of this year’s luncheon event---a fitting tribute to this year’s “Mother of the Year!”  Some of her other contributions include her designing and formatting the Cathedral’s 350-page Golden Anniversary Commemorative Album and serving as Treasurer to the Saint Sophia Foundation since 2010.

In addition to her contributions to the church, she served on the PTA board of Dixie Canyon Elementary School and contributed to the Performing Arts program as assistant director and director of the annual school plays, while making costumes, sets and program books.  She also served on the Board of Studio City Residents Association where she was treasurer for seven years and on the Board of the Byzantine Latino Quarter Foundation where she was a treasurer for four years.

At the luncheon, Mrs. Callas was recognized for her many years of outstanding service to the Philoptohos Society and to the Saint Sophia Cathedral community.  Saint Sophia Philoptohos President Virgina Noyes presented Mrs. Callas with an engraved Waterford crystal desk clock and Fr. John S. Bakas, Dean of Saint Sophia Cathedral, presented her with a beautiful Icon.

Co-chairmen of the Luncheon and Fashion Show, Mrs. Christina Peratsakis and Dr. Maria T. Toczek, welcomed a capacity audience of 450 guests.  The program included a Fashion Show by Emmelle of Madison Avenue in Manhattan, a delightful musical tribute by the lyric soprano Michele Patzakis Prappas written by Mrs. Helen Lambros, and a tribute by her daughters, Adriana and Joanna.