Look What YOU Made Possible!
We hope you had a wonderful start to 2020 and are looking forward to all the year has to bring! Our deepest thanks to YOU, our volunteers, for your generous gift of time and dedication in support of IOCC’s mission. Here are some examples of your impact around the world in 2019:
- In Syria, more than 51,000 children and adults received psychosocial support through Dream Centers and other programming.
- Almost 100 health professionals were trained to treat podoconiosis, and they in turn trained more than 7,500 of their colleagues in Ethiopia.
- In Greece, more than 400 families received prepaid grocery cards, allowing them to purchase about 22,000 pounds of fresh food per month.
- At Azraq Camp in Jordan, IOCC has reached nearly 400 refugees with health and well-being support.
- At least 640 families in Lebanon received more than 44,400 fresh, hot meals through IOCC’s community kitchens.
- Supporting long-term recovery, more than 130 US volunteers worked over 4,100 hours rebuilding homes damaged in natural disasters.
Help Us Plan Ahead by Scheduling 2020 Events
Lent is a great time to think about scheduling a fast-friendly reception or presentation to capture the spirit of almsgiving. We’d love to send an IOCC speaker to your parish or event—please let the Outreach team know what you’re planning, so we can make travel arrangements well ahead of time. And don’t be afraid to get creative! See our volunteer calendar here for inspiration, and reach us at 410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org.
Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Home Builds
As summer approaches, IOCC has several volunteer opportunities to support long-term recovery projects after disasters in the US. Communities affected by these catastrophes often face great need long after the crisis has ended, and we need volunteers to help repair and rebuild homes (no skills required!). Visit iocc.org/homebuild to learn more about our upcoming builds:
- Houston, Texas, February 17–22 ( 18+)
- Key West, Florida, March 9–14 and 16–21 (16+)
- Daytona Beach, Florida, May 11–16 (16+)
- Houston, Texas June 15–20 and 22–27; August 10–15 and 15–20 (16+)
Souper Bowl of Caring—There’s Still Time!
The Super Bowl is around the corner on February 2, and with the big game comes a big chance to help people in need! You can help both locally and internationally: organize a food drive in your parish to donate nonperishable goods to a local charity, and collect funds for IOCC to help those around the world. Click here to get more ideas and downloadable materials.
Represent Team IOCC at Your City’s 5k!
Check to see if your city will have an annual walk, run, or marathon this year, and consider leading a team for IOCC. Register and publicize your event early to recruit athletes to join your team and your cause. Check out a sample page here, and contact outreach@iocc.org to get a team started in your city!
Dedicate Your Birthday & Transform Lives
Are you looking for a powerful way to give? IOCC has a way to fundraise that uses your passion to 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 women, children, men, and families facing human-caused and natural disasters around the world. Is there anything better than knowing you’ve rallied your community to help others? Get started here: iocc.org/diy.
Order Prayer Journals for Your Parish or Sunday School
IOCC’s new prayer journal highlights the scripture of Matthew 25, the inspiration for IOCC’s mission. It offers a glimpse into the lives of children and families around the world and shows how your prayers and support are helping them build a brighter future.
Print copies are available for your parish or group by emailing Stephanie Wazlavek at our print warehouse (swazlavek@webbmason.com) or by calling 443.589.1565. IOCC is pleased to cover the cost of the journals, while a fulfillment cost of $9.61 plus shipping will be billed to your parish.
A digital version can be viewed at iocc.org/prayerjournal.
IOCC Awareness Events
Thank you to the IOCC volunteers across the country who support our mission every day!
Salt Lake City, UT
On Thursday, January 23, more than 50 guests attended the Sixth Annual Wine and Chef’s Tasting to benefit IOCC, held at the Country Club in Salt Lake City. Guests were treated to fine wine and tastes of superb food, learning about IOCC’s ongoing humanitarian work during a presentation by IOCC Gift Officer Nicholas Kasemeotes. Event Chair Shelley Anderson emceed the evening, and V. Rev. Archimandrite George Nikas also offered remarks about IOCC’s work. Thank you to Fr. George Nikas, Shelley Anderson, and the entire committee who made this special evening a huge success!
Orlando, FL
Over the holiday weekend of January 17–20, IOCC participated in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta’s Hellenic Dance Festival in Orlando, FL. As part of the HDF weekend service project, participants assembled more than 2,020 hygiene kits for those in need. Thank you to all who helped with the organization and purchasing of supplies, as well as to the dancers and volunteers who helped make this service project a success! Congrats on reaching your goal, HDF!
Upcoming Events
Interested in planning your own event to raise awareness about IOCC? Get one on the calendar today! We’d love to send a speaker to your parish or event, so please contact us at410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org.
Check for updates at iocc.org/events. And thank you for partnering with us!
- January 30: Cleveland, OH—A European Wine Tasting to Benefit IOCC
- February 1: Milwaukee, WI—IOCC Tailgate Event
- February 2: Nashville, TN—Souper Bowl Chili Cookoff
- February 8: Wyckoff, NJ—A Taste of North Jersey
- February 8: Pittsburgh, PA—International Soup Sampling and Health Kit Assembly
- February 16: Grand Rapids, MI—Pan-Orthodox Choir Concert
- March 8: Las Vegas, NV—Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers and Reception
- March 8: Raleigh, NC—Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers and Reception
- March 14: Denver, CO—IOCC Awareness Dinner 2020
- March 15: Stockton, CA—IOCC Coffee Hour
- May 2: Pittsburgh, PA—Team IOCC at the 2020 Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend
- May 3: Cleveland, OH—IOCC Annual Banquet 2020
- May 7: Chicago, IL—IOCC Grand Banquet & Silent Auction 2020
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.
Get Resources
Download or request promotional materials for your parish.