We are off to a great start of the year with so many volunteers in action. Thank you to all of our volunteers for helping to spread awareness and support for IOCC!
Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Home Builds
Got extra time? Want to give back? 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 previous experience required!).
Visit iocc.org/homebuild to learn more about our upcoming builds:
- Key West, Florida — March 9–14 (16+)
- Daytona Beach, Florida — May 11–16 (16+)
- Houston, Texas — June 15–20 and 22–27; August 10–15 (16+)
Schedule an IOCC Event in Lent or Beyond
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.
Represent Team IOCC at Your City’s Local 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 for 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 and 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.
Don’t Miss Out: Prayer Journals Available!
IOCC’s 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. Quantities are limited—order yours today!
A digital version can be viewed at iocc.org/prayerjournal.
Thank You to Our Souper Bowl MVPs!
Thank you to all the parishes and volunteers who took action on February 2! The Souper Bowl of Caring is a chance to help those in need in your local community, as well as to support IOCC in sharing Christ’s love around the world. Many of you took collections, shared IOCC with your friends and neighbors, baked cupcakes, cooked chili, held luncheons, donated to your local food pantry, and more. Thank you for being Souper Bowl MVPs!
IOCC Awareness Events
Thank you to the IOCC volunteers across the country who support our mission every day!
Cleveland, OH
On January 30, the Cleveland Metropolitan Committee hosted a European Wine Tasting to Benefit IOCC. Some 120 guests enjoyed a four-course dinner with wine pairings, and live music played by the local music group Sarena Tamburitza Orchestra. The guests heard updates about IOCC’s programs and learned how their gifts help families in need around the world. Thank you to the entire Cleveland committee for their work in organizing this event!
Milwaukee, WI
On February 1, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Committee hosted its seventh annual IOCC Tailgate Event at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. The evening featured a delicious meal of Usinger’s bratwurst, tailgate sides, and homemade desserts. IOCC Director of Operations Stacey Mason offered the keynote, and IOCC Director of Development and Communications Katrina Straker spoke briefly about ways to support IOCC. Musicians SMiLE with Kashinn Thurow provided music and entertainment throughout the night, while participants enjoyed fellowship and a small silent auction featuring a hand-crafted cross and a Milwaukee Bucks ticket package. Thank you to co-chairs Katherine Newhouse and Ana Treptow and the entire group of pan-Orthodox volunteers for making this family-friendly event possible!
Wyckoff, NJ
On February 8, more than 175 people from several local Orthodox parishes gathered for A Taste of North Jersey to Benefit IOCC. Now a decade-old tradition, the evening began with Vespers, followed by a tasting of some of the area’s finest food, wine, and beer. Delicious food was provided by Maywood’s Marketplace, wine and beer by Stew Leonard’s Wines of Paramus, and desserts by other local establishments. Jodie and the Normals entertained attendees with live pop-soul music. Development Officer Lou Zagami thanked the crowd for their support over the years and provided an update on recent IOCC projects. His Grace Bishop Irinej also offered a few words, sharing stories about IOCC’s work in Serbia. His Grace Bishop Metodije of Diokleia was also in attendance. Thank you to our hosts, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and Fr. Bill Gikas; chair Stratos Mandalakis and the entire committee of volunteers; and all the other churches for volunteering their time and effort to make this a special event!
Pittsburgh, PA
Orthodox faithful of all ages gathered on February 8 for the IOCC Pittsburgh Metropolitan Committee’s annual International Soup Sampling & Health Kit Assembly. Volunteers prepared nine different types of delicious soups for guests to sample, including Greek, Serbian, Syrian, Ukrainian, Italian, and American favorites.
On Sunday, February 16, St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church hosted All You Need Is Love, a choral concert featuring the Orthodox Choirs of West Michigan, along with the children’s choir, and the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church choir. IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes also offered a short update on IOCC’s work. More than 250 people from several Orthodox churches attended and, following the concert, enjoyed a lovely reception with hors d’oeuvres. Thank you to Dn. David Khorey, who helped coordinate this evening, to everyone at St. Nicholas, and to all the beautiful choirs who participated!
Grand Rapids, MI
Youth from across the area assembled 1,000 health kits, responding to the call to help those in need through a simple act of service. Thanks to Nick Terezis, the Pittsburgh committee, and all volunteers young and old for a great day of service to kick off the year!
Ways to Stay Engaged!
Interested in getting more involved with IOCC? Get an event on the calendar or sign up for a homebuild today! We’d love to send a speaker to your parish or event, 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!
- March 8 – Dayton, OH – IOCC Luncheon
- March 8 – Raleigh, NC – Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers and Reception
- March 8 – Las Vegas, NV – Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers and Reception
- March 9-14 – Key West, FL – IOCC Homebuild
- March 14 – Denver, CO – IOCC Awareness Dinner
- March 15 – Orange County, CA – Sip and Paint and Share the Love for IOCC
- April 25 – Austin, TX – IOCC Reception
- May 2 – Pittsburgh, PA – Team IOCC at the 2020 Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend
- May 3 – Cleveland, OH – Annual IOCC Banquet
- May 7 – Chicago, IL – IOCC Grand Banquet & Silent Auction
- May 11-16 – Daytona Beach, FL – IOCC Homebuild
- June 15-20 – Houston, TX – IOCC Homebuild
- June 22-27 – Houston, TX – IOCC Homebuild
- August 10-15 – Houston, TX – IOCC Homebuild
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
- Country Representative—Lebanon
- Manager of Africa Programs
- Sr. Grant Writing Officer
Stay Connected with IOCC Online!
Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and our Blog to keep up to date with IOCC news, view event photos, and get a firsthand look at how your support is touching lives around the world.
