It is simply one woman asking another woman to care. Seek them out. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to continue to grow our organization that was lovingly and courageously cultivated by our mothers and grandmothers. It is now our time to raise the awareness of Philoptochos higher than ever before! Each person wishes to give of herself. It may be a single action in a simple manner or it may be in the form of a grand gesture. Philoptochos is a team of Orthodox Christians that has been charged to minister to those less fortunate.

Please download the membership spreadsheet located on the National Philoptochos website www.philoptochos.org. Email the completed spreadsheet as an attachment to Membership@philoptochos.org. If you do not have the technology to complete the form, ask a Chapter or Church member to assist you. For additional support please contact the National office. The form must be returned to the National Office along with your per capita by April 30, 2011. Encourage every woman, and man as an associate steward, to join your chapter. Spread the Philoptochos message and the many meaningful ways that membership makes a difference in so many lives. 100% membership is the goal!

ATLANTA – National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas announced disbursements of $332,000 for its ministries and programs at the 2010 National Philoptochos Convention meeting in Atlanta, GA at the Marriott Marquis from July 4 – 7th. These disbursements bring the total disbursements for the period of January 1 – July 4, 2010 to $937,958, achieving new levels of giving by the organization and its 485 Chapters across the country. In addition, National Philoptochos disbursed $2,834,861 for the two year period from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009.

Convention disbursements included funds to the Direct Archdiocesan District and each Metropolis for special medical programs to assist families and children as well as financial assistance to Orthodox Christian senior citizens in need.
Special presentations were made to the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, St. Photios Shrine, Retired Clergy Benevolent Fund, Orthodox Christian Mission Center, International Orthodox Christian Charities and Support a Mission Priest.

A $10,000 donation was made to the Blessings in a Backpack – Feeding the Future of America program to provide a backpack filled with food goods to 125 children every Friday for an entire year in a nearby Atlanta school. This followed the presentation of the St. Nicholas Philoptochos members of Troy, Michigan who initiated the Blessings in a Backpack program in their parish. Data show that well-nourished children learn better, are more likely to attend school and are empowered to take advantage of educational opportunities.  

The National Philoptochos is comprised of 27,500 members across the country.  
 
For information: Christine Karavites, 508.982.4276
www.philoptochos.org -- (212) 977-7770

For the record, the following chapters from our diocese attended the conference:

HELLENOS HOUSE

A GROUP RESIDENCE FOR ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS

 The Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, Roslyn Heights, NY and its Ladies Philopthochos Society conduct a unique ministry called, The Challenge Liturgy Program, which serves developmentally and physically challenged Orthodox Christians. The Program reaches out and welcomes into the full life of the Church special needs individuals and their families by offering a monthly Divine Liturgy, The Challenge Liturgy, and social programs that accommodate their special circumstances.

Since its inception, in 1990, the Program has grown into a regional program serving approximately fifty (50) families from ten neighboring Queens, Westchester and Long Island parishes.

Extending its tradition of service, the Program has sought to establish a group residence for several of its members: A home that will allow members to retain their  culture, ethnic traditions,  values and friendships. 

To accomplish this objective the Program petitioned and received the sponsorship of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) and the participation of The ACDS Agency; a New York State accredited service provider and operator of group residences. With their efforts a group residence, named Hellenos House, opened in September 2008.  Located in the Nassau County village of Wantagh, NY, Hellenos House is home for seven members of the Challenge Liturgy Group.

Hellenos House was made possible through New York State sponsorship with the expectation that the Greek-American community will partner to support the residence.  To date, thanks to the enthusiastic support of Archbishop Demetrios, the Archangel Michael parish, the Direct Archdiocese District Philoptochos chapters and several social organizations we can proudly claim that, indeed, the Greek-American community accepts this responsibility.

Going forward, it is anticipated that community support will not only help maintain a desirable quality-of-life for Hellenos House residents but will help keep a promise to make certain that Hellenos House remains an integral part of the Greek-American community.

May 2009

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  St. Nicholas Philoptochos Chapter aids soldiers in Iraq

The St. Nicholas Philoptochos Chapter of Flushing decided last year to send care packages to our soldiers in Iraq.  We received a list of what was needed and we got our whole community involved.  We also decided to find some Greek American soldiers serving in Iraq.
We knew that we had one of the parents from our church school serving in the Navy, namely Captain Spiro Colaitis.  One of our board members told us that her nephew lst Lieutenant Tommy Cunningham was serving who was from St. Paul, and another board member knew of Captain Evan Perperis, also from St. Paul who was in Iraq.  

Fifty one packages were sent to these men, who shared these supplies with their troops.  In the meantime , Tommy was notified that Spiro may be stationed in his area, and we were told that they accidentally met each other at the Orthodox Easter services in Iraq.

When I learned that Sprio was back from Iraq, I decideed to check if the other men were back also.  I  learned that both Tommy and Evan were going to be home for Christmas.  We called the Archdiocese and asked whether they thought that the Archbishop would like to meet these men.  They immediately gave me the date of December 22 ande my husand and I drove them to the Archdiocese.  The Archbishop was thrilled to see them and they had a discussion for quite awhile.  The Archbishop gave them each a sterling silver cross and an icon of Jesus.  Needless to say, they were so honored and they were given a copy of the picture of their meeting.


See below the photograph with Archbishop Demetrios and our military men.
From left to right:  Captain Sprio, Captin Evan, the Archbishop and lst. Lieutenant Tommy.

reported by Helen Misthos.










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