Start Planning for IOCC Sunday on November 19!
Looking for a way to spread the word about IOCC in your parish? IOCC Sunday is the perfect day! There are plenty of ways you can bring your community together around giving to others, including encouraging clergy participation, dedicating an activity to IOCC, and involving your parish youth with an event. Need a flyer or promo materials for your parish on IOCC Sunday? Contact Outreach at outreach@iocc.org or 410.243.9820 or visit iocc.org/ioccsunday for more information.
IOCC’s New Prayer Journal Is Here
IOCC’s Prayer Journal is a resource for young people that offers a glimpse into the lives of children and families we are helping around the world. Each chapter includes stories of your impact, plus activities for families, small groups, or Sunday School classes. Download a copy or order free copies for your parish or Sunday school here.
Help for our Neighbors in Greece
IOCC’s team and local partner, Apostoli, are continuing to assess regional needs after the recent floods in Central Greece. The communities that were flooded are still struggling to meet basic needs.
To date, Apostoli has distributed three truckloads of drinking water in the affected areas. Additionally, IOCC and Apostoli are now sending two more trucks to Volos for the residents there who still lack clean drinking water.
With the support of IOCC donors, including the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, hot meals will be distributed to people in devastated rural villages in the upcoming weeks.
As the long road to recovery begins for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods, our team is working hard to determine how we can help rebuild their lives.
These communities are resilient but will need our support to recover. A gift to IOCC’s Greece Flood Response Fund will help us respond with long-term recovery efforts after the destructive flooding.
Please help our neighbors in need today.
Volunteers in Action
Thank you to the IOCC volunteers across the country who support our mission every day!
Louisville, KY
St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Louisville, Kentucky, coordinated an emergency bucket drive during Great Lent. The Sunday School’s parents filled the buckets during their Lazarus Saturday retreat for students. The above picture shows half of the buckets that were just dropped off at a CWS pick up site, awaiting pick up! Our heartfelt thanks go to Katherine Brasowksi and to the generous donors and volunteers from St. Michael’s Church who contributed to the success of this bucket drive!
Denver, CO
On September 16, the Denver Metropolitan Committee held the Annual Pan-Orthodox 5k Run/Walk at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church to benefit IOCC. It was a beautiful morning in Denver to exercise and get some fresh air while celebrating, supporting, and learning about the work done by IOCC around the world. The event concluded with the Blessing of the Five Loaves by church clergy. Heartfelt thanks go to IOCC board member and Denver Committee Chair Elaine Cladis, Annmarie Neal, Elaine Karubus, Chris Skogen, and all Denver Metropolitan Committee members who organized this annual event. We also thank all the runners and walkers who came to offer their support, and all the volunteers who made this event a great success!
Denver, CO
On September 17, Fr. Jordan Brown at Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Denver invited IOCC Development Officer, Nick Kasemeotes, to speak to the Goyans about IOCC and learning to give generously. Thank you, Fr. Jordan, for inviting Nick to speak at the cathedral and to the Goyans for your interest to learn about IOCC’s support!
Scottsdale, AZ
On September 16, members of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church organized an IOCC hygiene kits drive and assembled more than 300 hygiene kits in two hours! Our special thanks go to Betsy Vines for her continuous support of IOCC and to all the volunteers and donors who made the kits drive a successful community support event!
Pittsburgh, PA
On September 24, hundreds of IOCC supporters from the Pittsburgh area gathered at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral for a special prayer service and dinner for Ukraine led by beloved local hierarchs. Participants learned the latest news about IOCC’s Ukraine response and its other ongoing projects worldwide from Katrina Straker, IOCC’s keynote speaker and Director of Development and Communications. Special thanks to Zelfa Khalil, Nick Terezis, and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to organize this amazing event!
St. Louis, MO
On September 24, more than 100 supporters of IOCC from the St. Louis area gathered at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church to celebrate their 21st annual banquet. Participants enjoyed the delicious food, great fellowship, and shared their love for IOCC’s work. IOCC Development Officer, Nick Kasemeotes, served as the evening’s keynote speaker, sharing stories about IOCC’s work in the US and worldwide. Our heartfelt thanks to Valerie Kopecky, Mary Angelides, Sophia Toumbalakis, and all the volunteers who made this evening such a special and successful celebration!
Walk or Run with TEAM IOCC!
As temperatures drop and marathons and 5Ks take place around the country, join TEAM IOCC to make your miles matter! Come run with us in Baltimore, or create TEAM IOCC in your own hometown to help families around the world.
- Baltimore – October 14 – Baltimore Running Festival: Join IOCC staff and supporters from the community for our seventh year running in Charm City.
- Your Hometown – Register for your favorite race here. You can walk/run solo or with a team!
Volunteers Needed in Western Kentucky
IOCC is building in Kentucky through October of 2023 under a grant from the American Red Cross in response to the 2021 tornadoes. For the past nine months, volunteers have been working hard to get survivors in Western Kentucky safely back in their homes. To help get more beneficiaries back in their homes, IOCC is looking for volunteer teams and individuals through October of 2023. Room and board are available for out-of-town volunteers. Volunteers are welcome to help a day, a week, or longer at a time. Please contact Krista Hamann at volunteercoordinator@iocc.org or 667.331.9812.
Volunteers Needed in Fort Myers, FL
IOCC is building in Fort Myers, FL through October of 2023 under a grant from the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society to help rebuild homes in response to Hurricane Ian that struck the Gulf Coast in September 2022. To help survivors get back on their feet and back in their homes, join us in volunteering. Room and board are available for out-of-town volunteers.
Get a team together and join us in Fort Myers! Please contact Krista Hamann at volunteercoordinator@iocc.org or 667.331.9812 with any questions or to set up a team.
Upcoming Events
Interested in planning your own virtual or in-person event to raise awareness about IOCC? Get one on the calendar today! We’d love to help you organize, so please contact IOCC’s Outreach team at 410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org.
Check for updates at iocc.org/events. And thank you for partnering with us!
- October 7 – Virginia Beach, VA: 11th Father Sav. Constantinou Memorial Mission Walk
- October 7 – Charlotte, NC: A Taste of IOCC
- October 13 to 15 – Richmond, VA: Serving for Charity Tennis Tournament Weekend to Benefit IOCC
- October 14 – Baltimore, MD: Baltimore 2023 Running Festival
- October 16 – Cleveland, OH: Wine Tasting to Benefit IOCC
- October 19 – Pittsburgh, PA: Oktoberfest Happy Hour
- October 21 – Austin, TX: Garden Party to Benefit IOCC
- October 29 – Philadelphia, PA: 12th Annual Banquet to Benefit IOCC
- November 2 – Pittsburgh, PA: Bourbon Tasting to Benefit IOCC
- November 4 – Sacramento, CA: Cocktails for a Cause
- November 5 – San Francisco, CA: IOCC Food & Wine Tour
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.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Officer
- Director of Communications
- Development Officer, West Coast
- Program Officer for the Middle East- HQ
Stay Connected to IOCC Online!
Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and our Latest Updates page 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.
