Archdiocese Establishes Relief Fund for the People Of Greece

Archbishop Demetrios of America issued an appeal today for immediate economic assistance to the suffering people in Greece, through a special Encyclical he sent on behalf of the Holy Eparchial synod to the clergy, the parishes, the schools, the Philoptochos, Youth and affiliated organizations and to the Greek Orthodox Family in America. 

In his Encyclical Archbishop Demetrios states:  "The financial crisis that has rocked Europe and deeply affected Greece has reached proportions where the suffering of innocents and the ordeal of common people cry out for urgent and substantive help.  So many of our families have roots in Greece and many of us have relatives and friends who are now experiencing privation  unknown in that country since the time of the harsh occupation of the Second World War"

The Archbishop emphasizes that the response to this special fundraising appeal should be immediate and generous.  "Cognizant of this harsh reality, we must respond by offering real and tangible assistance to our bretheren through trusted Church affiliated humanitarian and philanthropic agencies which will directly assist those most in need.  Therefore, as the time of Great Lent approaches, when we are called by the Church to a great consiousness of the needs of our fellow human beings, I hope that every Christian will generously respond to this special appeal by making a donation to the Relief Fund for the People of Grece of the Archdiocese.

The Archdiocese established a special Relief Fund for the People of Greece and ALL contributions should be forwarded to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, 8 East 79 Street, New York, NY 10075, earmarked for the Relief Fund for the People of Greece. 
In addition to the Archbishop's appeal the National Ladies Philoptochos Society has issued already a smilar appeal.

MORE WAYS TO GIVE TO THE ARCHDIOCESE "RELIEF FUND FOR THE PEOPLE OF GREECE"


 In order to faciliate donations, the Archdiocese has established a web page:  http://www.goarch.org/special/greekrelief to accept contributions online through Facebook, by an SMS TEXT MEASSAGE, AND OF COURSE, BY TRADITIONAL CHECKS.

OTHER WAYS TO  SUPPORT THE GREEK RELIEF FUND, YOU CAN MAKE A DONATION IN ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

1.  DONATE ONLINE THROUGH JUSTGIVE.ORG
MAKE A SECURE ONLINE DONATION TRHOUGH OUR PARTNER, JUSTGIVE.ORG   


2.  DONATE VIA CAUSES THROUGH FACEBOOK.  MAKE A SECURE ONLINE DONATION THROUGH THE FACEBOOK CAUSE "RELIEF FUND FOR THE PEOPLE OF GREECE"
3.  DONATE VIA SMS/TEST MESSAGE ON YOUR MOBILE POHONE THROUGH  onGive.  Donate $ 10 by simply texting 'GREECE' TO 27722.   The amout of $ 10 will be added to your mobile pone bill/deducted from your prepaid account.  Message and Data rates may apply.  Full terms:  mGIVE.ORG/T/Privacy Policy.
4.  tratidional checks :  Contributions may be sent via check to the Greek Orthdoxo Archdiocese, 8 East 79 Street, New York, NY 10075 and earmarked for the Relief Fund for the People of Greece. 

All methods listed above  allow for your donation to go directly to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, a US IRS approved 501(c)(3) non profit organization.

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NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS CHILDREN’S MEDICAL FUND LUNCHEON

PRESENTS ARISTA AWARD 

AWARDS OVER $204, 000 FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND RESEARCH

     DATELINE -- The Thirteenth National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon was held Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Old Greenwich, CT with more than 650 attendees from throughout the United States. The event entitled “Let Us Rejoice and Embrace the Children,” was organized by the National Philoptochos and the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos under the high patronage of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America and with the spiritual blessings of His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane. 

The Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon unites supporters from across the United States every two years to raise funds for critically ill children. At the luncheon, National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas and Luncheon Chairman Maria Skiadas presented donations totaling $204,456 to fifteen area hospitals and research programs:

Arts For Healing, New Canaan, CT; Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC;

Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; Incurable Illness Foundation, Brooklyn, NY; Kids in Crisis, Cos Cob, CT; Lea’s Foundation for Leukemia Research, Inc., Hartford, CT; Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY; New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY; New York University Hospitals Center, New York, NY; Port Washington Special Education PTA (SEPTA), Port Washington, NY; Queens Children’s Psychiatric Center, Bellerose, NY; ROSSCO Stamford School Community Organization, Inc., Stamford, CT; St. Mary’s Hospital for Children, Bayside, NY.

The Luncheon program featured the inspiring remarks of His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane; dynamic presentations by President Aphrodite Skeadas; profound words from Guest Speaker, Dr. George Coukos, Professor of the Perelman School at the University of Pennsylvania; stirring remarks from Evangeline Mekras Scurtis, Luncheon Honoree; and moving testimony from Katina Brountzas and Andrew Kahan, parents whose children have been assisted at the area hospitals. Children brightened the program with musical performances by the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Youth Choir under the direction Ms. Maria Koleva.  Ms. Andrea Tantaros, Fox News Anchor and host of The Five, served as Master of Ceremonies with charm, humor and grace as she aptly guided the luncheon program. 

President Skeadas presented the National Philoptochos Society ARISTA Award in memory of Mardene Morykwas for her outstanding and generous philanthropic support to the Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon.  Dr. Angeline Pappas of the Church of Our Saviour, Rye, NY, accepted the award on behalf of her late niece.

President Skeadas stated, “This year’s luncheon takes place during the Nativity season in which the Birth of Jesus is celebrated.  The culmination of today’s event forms part of the larger mosaic of giving in this period of Holy Christmas.”  She offered special gratitude to the Luncheon General Chairman and Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos President, Maria Skiadas and the Luncheon Co-Chairmen, Stella Fiorentino, Lily Katos and Stella Pantelidis as well as the entire Luncheon Committee from throughout the country.  She also thanked the entire Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos for hosting the event.  The District distributed 500 toys and gifts to children in need throughout the District thanks to the generosity of the guests who graciously brought gifts to ‘honor the children’.