Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen!
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! Wishing our IOCC family good health and great hope in the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Volunteers Needed in Western Kentucky
IOCC has been hard at work in Marshall County, Kentucky since February, in response to the tornadoes that devastated the area in December 2021. So far, nine Home Build groups have helped us to complete repairs on several homes. The US Program aims to close all open repair cases in the county by July 31st. To help us in these efforts, join us in volunteering for a Home Build in Western Kentucky. Volunteer opportunities are available through July 31, 2024. 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 with any questions or to set up a team.
Say Hello at the 47th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress!
Come and meet IOCC staff and learn about IOCC’s work at our booth during the upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (June 30 – July 4) in San Diego, California. Pick up some of our latest materials, learn how to get involved, or just come and say hello. We look forward to seeing you!
Run a Race, Dedicate a Birthday, Celebrate Your Wedding 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. Our DIY (do-it-yourself) fundraising platform allows you to create a personal page and collect donations to improve the lives of families 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.
Help Us Plan Fall Events Now
Summer vacation is approaching fast, 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 event in 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 us at 410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org to start the conversation—we look forward to hearing from you!
Restoring and Renewing Kindergartens in Georgia
IOCC’s humanitarian presence in the country of Georgia dates from 1994, with projects assisting thousands displaced by conflict.
Over the years, the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region has accommodated hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Families often sheltered in hotels, unused buildings, and schools. In the city of Zugdidi, 13 out of 17 kindergarten buildings were converted to temporary housing.
One kindergarten in Zugdidi operated out of a rented house for years, without enough space or facilities for children to thrive. When local authorities began converting their school building back into classroom space, they lacked the funds to furnish it appropriately.
IOCC stepped in to fully furnish the space with benches, beds, cabinets, kitchen appliances, mattresses, linens, and computer equipment.
Volunteers in Action
Thank you to the IOCC volunteers across the country who support our mission every day!
Scottsdale, AZ
On April 6, enthusiastic volunteers from the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, assembled 220 school kits for children in need to help them do well in school. Our gratitude and thanks go to Betsy Vines, a long-term supporter of IOCC, Fr. Andrew Barakos, the Church youth groups, and to all the generous donors who supported this initiative!
Wichita, KS
The Wichita Special Lenten Fundraiser event brought together clergy and parishioners from Wichita’s three Antiochian parishes (St. George, St. Mary, and St. Michael) to both celebrate and learn more about IOCC’s work across the globe. Many knew very little about IOCC’s work in providing humanitarian aid on behalf of the Orthodox Church. The presentation included an update about IOCC’s work in the Holy Land and Middle East, which was meaningful to many immigrants from the region who attended. Our heartfelt thanks to Gayle Malone, IOCC Board member and Fr. Aaron Warwick for organizing this amazing event and for their hard work, dedication, and support of IOCC! We are also thankful to all the generous donors from the area!
Pittsburgh, PA
On April 13 and April 20, IOCC Pittsburgh Metropolitan Committee organized two youth hygiene kits drives, one at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church and one at St. George Antiochian Cathedral. Orthodox Youth Groups from the Pittsburgh area local parishes (Greek, Serbian, Antiochian, Ukrainian, OCA, ROCOR) gathered at Holy Cross and assembled more than 1,000 kits, and St. George parishioners assembled 500 hygiene kits. Both events responded to the call to help those in need through a simple act of service. Special thanks to organizers Ava Terezis, Nick Terezis, host priests Fr. Michael Kallaur & Fr. Joshua Makoul, and to all the enthusiastic volunteers and donors!
Dayton, OH
On April 14, immediately after Liturgy, parishioners of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dayton, Ohio, gathered for a Luncheon Fundraiser to hear the latest news about IOCC’s assistance to displaced people in Gaza. Special thanks go to Dirk Lackovich-Van Gorp, Fr. Anthony Cook, and all the generous donors from this parish!
Mansfield, MA
The Sunday School children of St. Gregory the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church in Mansfield, Massachusetts, had a great time learning about IOCC, while assembling around 142 hygiene kits. Special thanks to the generous donors from the parish, the Philoptochos, and to all Sunday School students who were eager to learn more about IOCC and serve a great cause!
Washington, DC
St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington D.C. and its Youth Ministry organized a Lenten fundraiser from April 27 – May 5 to support IOCC’s efforts in Middle East. Our heartfelt thanks go to Maria Paleocrassas, Effie Frankowski, Fr. Steven Zorzos, to the Youth Ministry, and to all the donors who contributed to this campaign!
San Jose, CA
On May 11, supporters of IOCC in the San Jose area gathered at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church for a beautiful fundraising dinner. Participants learned about IOCC’s emergency relief efforts in the Holy Land, presented by IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes. His Eminence Metropolitan Tarasios said that this fundraising event for Gaza is just the beginning of the parish’s efforts to support IOCC’s worldwide emergency relief work. Our special thanks go to Elsie Saba, Nicholas Saba, His Eminence Metropolitan Tarasios, St. Basil Parish Council, and to all generous donors from the Greater San Jose Metropolitan area!
Chicago, IL
On May 16, around 200 guests from the Greater Chicago area, together with local hierarchs, gathered for the 32nd annual banquet to benefit IOCC. His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, His Eminence Archbishop Peter, and His Grace Bishop Timothy were in attendance. Dimitrije Djukic, IOCC’s Director of Strategic Services, was the keynote speaker and shared updates about IOCC’s work in the Middle East. The program also included remarks from event co-chair Maria Loukaki, IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes, IOCC Frontliner Fr. Rick Andrews, and the evening’s emcee, Fr. George Lamberis. Many thanks to the hierarchs and local clergy for their kind support, Chicago committee chair Bill J. Vranas, event co-chairs Maria Loukaki and Omar Rihani, and the entire committee, as well as to all the volunteers who played a role in putting this beautiful evening together!
Pittsburgh, PA
On May 19, the Pittsburgh IOCC Committee Chair, Nick Terezis, organized a cookout appreciation day for all IOCC volunteers in the area. This dedicated group of people offer their time and talents to IOCC and helped organize all of the fundraising and awareness events in the last ten years. We are grateful to the hundreds of volunteers from the Pittsburgh area and thank them for their hard work and dedication to IOCC! Special thanks go to Nick Terezis who organized this appreciation day and to his family for making this a fun and special celebration!
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!
June 3 – Cleveland, OH – IOCC Cleveland 32nd Annual Banquet
July 4 – Columbus, OH – Race to Respond with Team IOCC Columbus
September 29 – St. Louis, MO – 22nd Annual IOCC Banquet
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.
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