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. As we near the end of our project, set to close on July 31st, work on the last several homes is underway. To help IOCC complete work on the last remaining homes, 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 flying by, and we hope you have all had 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!
Volunteers in Action
Thank you to the IOCC volunteers across the country who support our mission every day!
Bealeton, VA
Marilyn Price, IOCC parish rep of Saint Patrick Orthodox Church in Bealeton, VA, organized a Lenten Emergency Clean-Up Buckets Kits Drive. The students of Saint Patrick Orthodox School and parish volunteers gathered to assemble the buckets and talk about IOCC emergency response in the US and how useful these kits will be to people affected by floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Our gratitude and thanks go to Marilyn Price, a strong supporter of IOCC, Fr. Charles Cardine, the Head Mistress Micah Friedrich, the parish students, volunteers, and generous donors who made this initiative possible!
Baltimore, MD
The Sunday School students of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Baltimore, MD packed 200 school kits during their Holy Friday Retreat on May 3, 2024. After a presentation by the GOYA, the students enthusiastically went to work and completed the project in record time. They also made uplifting cards for local students in the City of Baltimore. The school supplies were generously funded by the Annunciation Philoptochos. Many thanks to Eleni Roros, Rhoula Monios, Effie Theodore, Fr. George Mastakas, Philoptochos members, and to the wonderful students of Annunciation Sunday School!
Dedham, MA
On June 2, more than 60 enthusiastic volunteers from St. John of Damascus Church in Dedham, MA put together 1,000 hygiene kits in their first IOCC service project organized at their parish. All ages from six years old to 100 stood on the assembly lines carefully and cheerfully packing the hygiene kits. The entire community participated with funds or donations during the Lent fundraising campaign. Their amazing support made it possible to exceed the initial target of assembling 300 kits. Heartfelt thanks to Cindy Haddad who graciously led this project and made sure that everything went smoothly, to Fr. John Teebagy, to the generous donors of the parish, and to all the volunteers who made this such a successful project!
Cleveland, OH
On June 3, approximately 150 IOCC supporters from the Cleveland area gathered to mark their 32nd annual banquet and show their commitment to IOCC’s worldwide work. What an amazing night! In a beautifully decorated hall, guests joined the priests representing the seven Orthodox jurisdictions from the area and sang “Christ Is Risen.” This year’s winner of the Diane Zamiska Award was Liliana Bruckner, Vice Chair of the IOCC Cleveland Metropolitan Committee. The emcee of the event, Diane Hastings, graciously led the event and introduced the speakers. The keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Olympio, IOCC Frontliner, talked about his deployment experiences and kept the audience engaged with his fieldwork stories. Our heartfelt thanks go to Diane Hastings, IOCC Cleveland Committee Chair; Liliana Bruckner, Vice Chair; Julie Hall, Committee Treasurer; Popadija Kathy Babich, committee member; to all the volunteers who made this night a memorable one; to all the area’s generous donors; and to Dr. Michael Olympio for sharing with us his wonderful stories!
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!
July 4 – Columbus, OH – Race to Respond with Team IOCC Columbus
September 29 – St. Louis, MO – 22nd Annual IOCC Banquet
October 27 – Philadelphia, PA – 13th Annual Banquet to Benefit IOCC
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.
