Say Hello at the 56th Biennial Antiochian Archdiocese Convention!
Come and meet IOCC staff and learn about IOCC’s work at our booth during the upcoming Antiochian Archdiocese Convention (July 25–29) in Phoenix, Arizona. Pick up some of our latest materials, learn how to get involved, or just stop by and say hello. We look forward to seeing you!
Volunteers in Action
Thank you to the IOCC volunteers across the country who support our mission every day!
Pittsburgh, PA
On June 4, some 50 supporters of IOCC from the Pittsburgh area gathered at Khalil’s Restaurant for a Dinner with Wine Pairings event to benefit IOCC. Pittsburgh Metropolitan Committee members spoke in detail about IOCC’s work in the West Bank and Gaza. All wine and IOCC-logoed gift glasses were donated by Maria and Nick Terezis and their business, Marathon. The Khalil family (Leila, Dalel, Michael, Zelfa, and their spouses) graciously gifted the preparation and served all food. Special thanks to the Khalil family, the nine volunteers who helped with the event, Nick Terezis, event donors, and to all IOCC’s supporters who were eager to hear updates about West Bank and Gaza programs!
Pittsburgh, PA
On June 17, the Pittsburgh community again came together at Khalil’s Restaurant for a Syrian street food festival dedicated to supporting IOCC’s earthquake relief work in Syria. Throughout the day, around 350 guests enjoyed live music by David Hakin and beautiful demonstrations by Middle Eastern dancer Jemeena. Lots of fun activities rounded out the event, and everyone enjoyed themselves while supporting IOCC‘s work. Thank you to the Khalil family, Nick Terezis, and all the enthusiastic volunteers who organized this great food festival!
Charlotte, NC
On June 28, the IOCC Charlotte Committee held a paint night to benefit IOCC. After members of the Charlotte Metropolitan Committee shared updates about IOCC’s latest programs, the guests learned how to paint a beautiful still-life of flowers in a vase. Thank you to Charlotte Committee chair Laura Nixon, co-chairs Missy Davis and Elaine Fagan, and to all who supported this fun, creative evening!
Volunteers Needed in Western Kentucky
Since January, IOCC has been on the ground in Kentucky rebuilding homes under a grant from the American Red Cross to help those affected by the 2021 tornadoes. So far, IOCC has helped to rebuild 16 homes across three counties. To get more families back into their homes, IOCC needs volunteers—both teams and individuals—through October of 2023. Room and board are available for out-of-towners. Volunteers are welcome to help for a day, a week, or longer at a time. Please contact Krista Hamann at volunteercoordinator@iocc.org or 667.331.9812.
Volunteers Needed in New Orleans, LA
IOCC has been working in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, since September 2021 helping people affected by Hurricane Ida. This month, a group of Serv-X-Treme conference alumni completed a weeklong home build there—reconnecting with IOCC and each other in service.
IOCC needs volunteers to work in Louisiana through August 2023 helping survivors get back on their feet. Room and board are available for out-of-towners. Please contact Krista Hamann at volunteercoordinator@iocc.org or 667.331.9812.
Help Us Plan Fall Events Now
Summer vacation is here, and we hope you’ll have time to relax and enjoy time with your loved ones. AND… this is also a great time to think about scheduling an IOCC in-person or virtual event for the fall. Please let the Outreach team know what you’re planning, so we can support you with the event preparations. And don’t be afraid to get creative! Reach Corina or Sydney on our Outreach team at 410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org to start the conversation—we look forward to hearing from you!
Run a Race or Create Your Own Fundraiser with IOCC!
Are you looking for a powerful way to give? IOCC has a way to fundraise that uses your passion to help those in need. Run a race, dedicate your birthday, celebrate a loved one or wedding—and help those in need at the same time. Our DIY (do-it-yourself) fundraising platform allows you to create a personal page and collect donations to improve the lives of families in need facing disasters around the world. Is there anything better than knowing you’ve rallied your community to help others? Get started here: iocc.org/diy.
Syria Vocational Training Campaign Results
IOCC’s fundraising campaign to help young people, women, and earthquake survivors build employment skills was amazing! With the lead gift of $60,000 from the Orthodox Vision Foundation, IOCC generated more than $120,000 in donations that will expand IOCC’s vocational training program in Damascus—allowing even more students to learn the skills they need to pursue better opportunities in the future. And it’s not too late to help: Visit iocc.org/ovfsyria to make a last-minute gift! Our heartfelt thanks go to all the generous donors who supported this campaign, and to Orthodox Vision Foundation for jumpstarting the effort!
Romania: A Ukrainian Refugee’s Gratitude
“I am writing to thank you for the great help I received yesterday.…”
These are the words of Ukrainian refugee Anastasiia, who fled conflict to find safety in nearby Romania. There she met IOCC and our local Church partner, Federation Filantropia, through a program to help people like her. Anastasiia wrote an email to the team sharing what this meant to her.
“I received [vouchers] to buy food and detergents at Profi and its partner stores,” she wrote. Help like this, which IOCC provides through several of its programs, allows people to shop for exactly what they need, when they need it.
Read the rest of the story here.
News from the Outreach Team
Please join us in welcoming Sydney Ore to the IOCC Outreach Team! She is excited to get to know and work with our incredible IOCC volunteers located in the Midwest and West Coast. Sydney comes to us with a background in nonprofits and event planning, and feels blessed for this new opportunity. Sydney is a member of St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and in her free time enjoys playing with her two dogs, Kenna and Mel, along with studying world languages, history, and singing in her church’s choir. Welcome, Sydney!
Upcoming Events
Interested in planning your own event to raise awareness about IOCC? Get one on the calendar today! We’d love to help you organize one, so please contact Corina or Sydney on our Outreach team at 410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org.
Check for updates at iocc.org/events. And thank you for partnering with us!
- September 23 – Denver, CO: IOCC Pan-Orthodox 5K Run/Walk
- September 24 – Pittsburgh, PA: Ukraine Relief Dinner & Prayer Service
- September 24 – St. Louis, MO: 21st Annual IOCC Banquet
- September 30 – Chicago, IL: Walk the Walk for IOCC
- October 19 – Pittsburgh, PA: Oktoberfest Happy Hour
- October 29 – Philadelphia, PA: 12th Annual Banquet to Benefit IOCC
IOCC Is Hiring!
Bring your expertise to an organization making a difference around the world, and join our team. Know someone who would be a perfect fit? Please pass this info along to them! For full job descriptions and application instructions, visit iocc.org/careers.
Stay Connected to IOCC Online!
Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and our latest updates to keep up to date with IOCC news, view event photos, and get a firsthand look at how your support is changing lives around the world.
