This fall, Hurricanes Helene and Milton brought unprecedented impacts to areas of the southeastern United States. IOCC’s US Program acted quickly to assess the damage and to deploy teams in response to severely damaged communities. Shortly after the storms, IOCC announced a $1 million fundraising goal, which was achieved in just over seven weeks. With this tremendous support from IOCC’s generous donors, we are poised to offer cleanup, repair, and psychosocial services to hurricane survivors throughout the region.
As we begin 2025, I encourage you to prayerfully consider your next deployment into the field to serve those who have lost so much. Heeding our Lord’s call to love one another, may our service in the new year be a blessing to us and them.
In Christ,
Archdeacon Paul Zaharas
US Country Representative
On the Ground
Hurricanes Helene and Milton – Action Team
IOCC has been responding to Hurricane Helene, which struck the Gulf Coast in September and was followed shortly by Hurricane Milton. These hurricanes left widespread damage across several states. Since the storm’s onset, IOCC has worked throughout the storm’s footprint and is currently running clean-up and rebuilding efforts in Eastern Tennessee and Pine Island, Florida. With the help of volunteer teams, IOCC has helped many homeowners start on the road to recovery by mucking out their homes and starting the rebuilding process.
IOCC has committed to 24 months of rebuilding in response to these storms, and volunteers are an essential part of these efforts. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with IOCC’s Action Team or to sign-up for volunteer efforts, please complete the Action Team interest form at iocc.org/actionteam. You can volunteer as an individual or form a team to volunteer together. Please contact Krista Hamann at volunteercoordinator@iocc.org or 667.331.9812 with any questions.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton – Frontline
In addition to Action Team efforts, IOCC has deployed several teams of Frontliners to provide Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC) to over 350 survivors of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. IOCC Frontliners provided care at Red Cross Shelters, Orthodox Churches, community centers, and beneficiaries’ homes. IOCC’s ESC providers meet survivors where they are and help them process how life is different following the storms.
IOCC has committed to providing Emotional and Spiritual Care to survivors as part of its 24-month commitment to Hurricanes Helene and Milton recovery. To learn more about how IOCC serves after disasters across the US through the Frontline program and to apply, visit iocc.org/frontliners.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities & Awareness Events for Home Builds
With IOCC’s two-year commitment in response to the recent hurricanes, volunteer opportunities are now available through 2025. Join a team or bring a group from your parish! To register for the Action Team and receive sign-up information, visit iocc.org/actionteam. To schedule a team in 2025, please contact Krista Hamann at volunteercoordinator@iocc.org or 667.331.9812.
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!
May 3, 2025 – Paramus, NJ – Taste of North Jersey to Benefit IOCC
May 3 & 4, 2025 – Pittsburgh, PA – Join Team IOCC @ Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend
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.
Donor Services Coordinator – HQ
Program and Partnership Coordinator – Amman, Jordan
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