Say Hello at the OCA and Antiochian Conferences this July
Come meet IOCC staff and learn about our work at our booth at the 21st All American Council in Phoenix from July 14-18, or at the 57th Biennial Antiochian Archdiocese Convention from July 20-27 in Chicago. 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 Your Birthday, or Celebrate a Wedding with IOCC
Are you looking for a powerful way to give? Go global with your special event! Celebrate your wedding, dedicate your birthday, or run a race with our DIY (do-it-yourself) fundraising platform. It 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. 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!
Wyckoff, NJ
On May 3rd, supporters from northern New Jersey gathered in fellowship to support IOCC’s mission at a wine tasting event. Guests enjoyed a selection of wines, cheeses, and hors d’oeuvres while hearing impactful stories from IOCC Gift Officer Lou Zagami about the organization’s vital work in the field. A heartfelt thanks to the NJ Metropolitan Committee for their dedication in bringing this event to life, with special recognition to Stratos Mandalakis and Kathy Van Dine for leading the planning and execution efforts!
Milwaukee, WI
To kick off the month on May 3rd, Annunciation Greek Orthodox church hosted their annual tailgate event to support IOCC. The committee organized an auction featuring sports memorabilia from the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers. Parishioners savored tasty local brats, placed bids on autographed memorabilia, and viewed a special video message from Alec Ingold. Currently a fullback for the Miami Dolphins and a former standout with the Wisconsin Badgers, Ingold recorded the message to show his support for IOCC and the tailgate event. Thanks to the hard work and thoroughness of volunteer Phillip Losey, the evening was a great success!
Chicago, IL
On May 8th, nearly 200 guests from the Greater Chicago area, along with local hierarchs, gathered to support IOCC at the 33rd Chicago Annual Banquet. His Grace Bishop Timothy honored the event with his presence, and Dean Triantafilou, IOCC’s CEO and Executive Director, delivered the keynote address, sharing updates about IOCC’s ongoing work. Remarks were also given by event co-chair Maria Loukaki, IOCC Board Member Kimberly Adams-Angelos, IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes, and the evening’s emcee, Fr. Paul Jannakos. A heartfelt thank you to the hierarchs, clergy, and Chicago committee chair Bill J. Vranas, along with event co-chairs Maria Loukaki and Omar Rihani, for their unwavering support! We’re especially grateful to the entire committee and the volunteers who made this memorable evening possible.
Pittsburgh, PA
Bright Bites
Friends and supporters gathered during Bright week for a day of fellowship at the Stamoolis Brothers Market to celebrate Pascha around the world and learn more about IOCC’s global humanitarian efforts! Guests enjoyed a delicious spread of Greek, Italian, and Middle Eastern hors d’oeuvres paired with red and white wines, while connecting over IOCC’s mission to serve those in need. A heartfelt thank you to Alexis Cross and Nick Terezis who organized this event and to everyone who joined us for this special evening — your presence and support continue to make a lasting impact!
Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend
During Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend on May 3 to 4, runners and walkers came together to support IOCC’s impactful work around the world. Participants of all ages and abilities could select races from the 5K and Kids Marathon to the Pet Walk and 4-Mile Fitness Challenge. A special thank you goes out to Dean Stambolis and Elias Diamond for their outstanding leadership in organizing and rallying their teams. Their dedication and enthusiasm helped make this weekend a memorable success. We’re grateful to everyone who joined TEAM IOCC — your efforts are making a tangible difference!
Volunteer Open House
On May 7, the IOCC Pittsburgh Committee welcomed guests to an open house to connect with supporters and share updates on their efforts to advance IOCC’s mission. Attendees had the chance to meet committee members and learn how their local efforts are making a global impact. We are grateful to the hundreds of volunteers from the Pittsburgh area and thank them for their hard work and dedication to IOCC!
Cleveland, OH
On May 19, 150 guests attended Cleveland’s 33rd Annual Banquet. This year, Fr. Steven Callos was presented with the Diane Zamiska Humanitarian Award. The evening featured a delicious dinner and an inspiring keynote from Dimitrije Djukic, Deputy Director for Strategic Services. Dimitrije and Gift Officer Lou Zagami shared powerful stories from the field, offering a firsthand look at the impact of our work. They also highlighted the critical role donors play in making that work possible, demonstrating how their support is transforming lives and communities every day. Special thanks to Diane Hastings for taking the lead on this wonderful event!
Thank You to Our Action Team Volunteers!
As we reach the height of volunteer season, we are so appreciative of our volunteer teams and are so excited to welcome many back this year. Our volunteer schedule is fully booked through the first week of August, but there is still availability from mid-August through the end of the year. We’re not scheduling teams for 2026 just yet, but if any groups are interested, we’re happy to add them to our call list. We’ll begin scheduling 2026 teams toward the end of this year and will reach out again at that time.
Please contact Krista Hamann at volunteercoordinator@iocc.org or 667.331.9812 with any questions or to set up a team.
Awareness 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, 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!
- September 28 – St. Louis, MO: Annual Banquet to Benefit IOCC
- October 11 – Charlotte, NC: Annual Fundraiser to Benefit IOCC
- October 26 – Philadelphia, PA: 14th 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 description and application instructions, visit iocc.org/careers
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.
