Sam Daskalopoulos & Family

2025 Stouffville Honourees

Sam Daskolopoulos was a very funny guy in high school.  He was lighthearted in nature, yet passionate about a lot of things.  His family ran a fabulous Greek restaurant on Main St. in Newmarket for several years, where they made you feel like their most special guest every time you visited.  He was involved in student council and was the kind of kid that wouldn’t hesitate to introduce himself to someone new, or to step up and be the first to try something different.  He was outgoing, but considerate.  Funny, but effective.  Some things never change.

Fast forward a few years (2017) and Sam, now living in Stouffville, Ontario, proud father of three beautiful girls and working for Lexmark Canada, had the idea to organize a charity hockey game for the United Way.  Doing good things attracts good things, and in less than 6 weeks the event raised more than $5,000.00 and had appearances by former NHLer Keith Acton, former MLB player Pete Orr and former Toronto FC captain, Jimmy Brennan – who didn’t hesitate to support the concept and cause.

The following year, with more time to plan, the game raised over $12,000.00 and added appearances by former NHLer and current NHL Alumni Executive Glenn Healy and Newmarket Mayor John Taylor.  In 2019 “Scoring Goals for the Community” was created, so that there was a name for such an incredible and important concept.

What started as a singular event and then became annual, has now transformed into a literal movement that has been able to touch so many different people and organizations.  Although Sam is always smiling, it hasn’t always been easy, and there have been lots of setbacks to challenge the path.  In 2023, when Sam lost his sister Lisa, whom they always called “Kiki”, with the help and support of his wife and daughters, the book “Scoring Goals with Kiki” came to life in 2024 and came to be one of two children’s books that are now part of the fundraising efforts and offerings.

To date, Scoring Goals for the Community has raised over $169,000.00 for many local organizations and charities.  The interest and enthusiasm have continued to grow and Sam credits everyone around him for making it all happen.  Especially his wife and three daughters, “If it wasn’t for my wife and my girls, I would be doing very little with myself – they are what motivates me.”

He's still very modest.  He’s still very funny.  He’s managed to combine his favourite things – family, community and hockey to create a recipe for fundraising success that is very much meant to be shared.    

“There will be lots of things to discourage you along the way, but there will also be miracles.” – Sam Daskalopoulos