The PAOI Southern Auxiliary was established in Los Angeles in June, 1991 with twelve charter members. Helen Liacouras Lambros was founder and Sophie Mastros served as first President.

The organization was initiated at a beautiful luncheon hosted by Dina Skouras Oldknow at her lovely San Marino home. It was attended by Reverend Father Dr. Leonidas Contos, Presdient of the PAOI and Paul Manolis, Director of the PAOI as well as a few members of the Women's Board from Northern California. They spoke of the achievements, goals and prurpose of supporting the Institute as the importance on an Auxiliary to begin fundraising efforts in Southern California. This was enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed and so the PAOI Southern Auxiliary began.

The Auxiuliary initially focused on efforts to obtain books to expland the PAOI Library. Many unique events have been given beginning with the opening of the Ronald Reagan Library. Tremendous support from so many Angelenos brought the collection to over 10,000 volumes by 1999.

In 2004, the Southern California Auxiliary honored their Founder, Helen Lambros, in a lavish affair at Paramount Studios. The frunds from that event were used to establish the Helen Liacouras Lambros Scholarship Fund.

Since the Institute transferred their books to the Flora Lamson library at the Graduate Theological Union, the Auxiliary is currentlychanneling their endeavors towards adding to the Scholarship Fund as well as towards the Master's Program at the Institute which will enable graduate students to further their theological studies in the Orthodox faith.

Very proudly, the Southern California Auxiliary has raised and contributed more than $246,000. to the Institute from 1991- 2006.

The dynamic women who have served as presidents include Sophie Mastor, Susan Patzakis, Dina Skoouras Oldknow, Helen Stathatos, Vergie Papalexis and Bebe Paul. Helen Liacouras Lambros served as Chairman of the PAOI Board of Trustees for seven years,

For more information on the PAOI Southern California Auxiliary, you may contact the current President, Bebe Paul at 818 784 9260.

Front Row: From the Left - Vergie Papalexis, Sophie Mastor, Bebe Paul - President, Helen Liacouras Lambros - Founder, Helen Stathatos, Susan Patzakis
2nd Row: Jeanette Webster, Elaine Camaras, Kathy Gabriel, Christine Haidos, Barbara Kral, Stephanie Duncan, Roz Halikis, Bess Pappas, Georgia Defterios, Tula Gallanes, Marina Kookootsedes
3rd Row: Dr. Anton Vrame - Former Director PAOI

Missing from photo: Sophia Angelos