When Stella Biniaris and her family of five were looking to move back to the United States, she knew Manhasset was perfect for her family.
After eight years in Hong Kong, the Queens native and her husband, Anthony Biniaris, were ready to return to New York.
“We used to always pass by the area, and as young adults, we always wanted to live in such a cute little neighborhood,” Biniaris said. “I liked the idea that whenever someone needed something, the neighbors would help.”
After renting a home in Plandome as they transitioned back to American life, the couple found a permanent residence in Flower Hill.
On March 28, Biniaris will be honored alongside 11 other North Hempstead women as part of the 2018 May W. Newburger Women’s Roll of Honor.
“It never ceases to amaze me that there are always tremendous people being nominated, and I wish we had enough spots for each woman,” Town Clerk Wayne Wink said of the honor roll.
Once settled, Biniaris said she focused her philanthropic efforts on Manhasset schools, ultimately becoming co-chairman of the Manhasset School Community Association’s annual fair fundraiser for three years.
Around the area, Biniaris is also an active member of the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Port Washington, a Ronald McDonald House board member and has helped organize fundraisers, 5K races and dinners for the Manhasset crew team.
“If somebody needs me, I’ll just do it,” Biniaris said. “I don’t feel like I need to necessarily be a part of that group. I joined Plandome Country Club, even though I don’t play golf, and I help with their fundraisers. If I like you, I’m going to help you.”
During their time abroad, Biniaris said, her children were exposed to the raw realities of life, seeing poverty and need regularly around Hong Kong. Because of their experiences and their mother’s charitable ways, her three children — 20-year-old Katerina, 18-year-old Yianni and 15-year-old Christopher — have all found ways to give their time and energy to others.
Katerina has volunteered to teach orphans to read in Cambodia and cook for the elderly in Thailand.
Yianni spent two and a half weeks in Nepal with Habitat for Humanity building homes and also focused his Eagle Scout project on building bat houses in North Hempstead.
Christopher has grown out his hair for years to shave it off for St. Baldrick’s Childhood Cancer Research Foundation.
“I don’t do anything alone,” Biniaris said. “It may be my ideas, but there’s always 20 or 30 women I can ask for help and they’ll be at my doorstep in 30 minutes. It’s cliché, but it takes a village.”
