Deerfield Students Join Global Good Deed Summit In Italy

DEERFIELD, IL — Students and educators from Hellenic American Academy in Deerfield recently traveled to Lake Como, Italy, to take part in the Good Deed Summit hosted by The Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation. The event, held from April 17 through April 21, brought together more than 130 participants from schools around the world for a program centered on service, cultural exchange and youth-led action.

According to the school, the week included a prayer service, student presentations and Global Impact Forum panels focused on turning passion into action. Students also joined a cultural talent showcase and shared aspects of their heritage with peers from other countries. The summit took place in Lake Como, including events at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the historic Teatro Sociale Como.

A major part of the summit involved the "Good Deed Buses," where students participated in service activities across the Como community. Those projects included supporting youth sports access, food security efforts, helping animal shelters and creating Braille messages. The school said those hands-on activities gave students a chance to see how service work can affect a community.

The trip carried added meaning for Hellenic American Academy because students have led their own "Good Deed Bus" initiative in Deerfield since 2018. The Italy summit gave students a wider view of that work and offered ideas they can bring back to their local service efforts.

"We are incredibly proud of how our students represented our school and embraced every opportunity to learn, serve, and connect," Executive Director Effie Gountanis said. "Their work in the Chicagoland area has already made a difference, and this experience has empowered them to think even bigger."

The summit ended with a gala at Teatro Sociale Como, where students gathered to celebrate the week's activities. According to the source material, students returned home with global friendships, lasting memories and a stronger commitment to service in their own communities. For the Deerfield school, the experience linked local volunteer work with a broader international effort focused on kindness and civic engagement.