IOCC VOLUNTEER UPDATE | MAY 2019

IOCC Volunteer Update | December 2018

December 31, 2018

Wishing You Joy This Nativity Season

Christ is born! Glorify Him! IOCC wishes all of our faithful volunteers a joyful Nativity feast—whether you’re celebrating in December or January—and a new year filled with blessings for you and your loved ones. Thank you for all you do throughout the year to share compassion with those in need worldwide. You make a tremendous difference.

Souper Bowl of Caring

The Super Bowl is coming up fast on February 3, and with the big game comes a big chance to help people in need—the Souper Bowl! 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.

Home Build Volunteers Needed

We need YOU in 2019! Volunteer to repair and rebuild homes in places hit by disaster. You don’t need to be skilled—just energetic. IOCC’s home build teams support long-term recovery after disasters. Current opportunities:

  • February 11-16, 2019 in Daytona Beach, FL
  • April 14-20, 2019 in Houston, TX

Please visit iocc.org/homebuild to read more and apply.

IOCC Awareness Events

Thank you to the IOCC volunteers across the country who support our mission every day!

GRAND RAPIDS, MI

On Sunday, December 2, 2018, St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church hosted the annual Sounds of the Season Christmas Concert and Reception for IOCC. The Orthodox Choirs of West Michigan provided an evening of beautiful melodies, featuring both traditional Orthodox Nativity hymns and other Christmas favorites, including Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. More than 200 people from several Orthodox churches attended and, following the concert, enjoyed a lovely reception that featured an IOCC Angel Tree. Thank you to Dn. David Khorey, who helped coordinate this evening, to everyone at St. Nicholas, and to the beautiful pan-Orthodox choir!

CHICAGO, IL

More than 40 young professionals from Annunciation and St. George Greek Orthodox Churches came out for a Holiday Hop-py Hour for a Cause at Lagunitas Brewing Company on December 4. The group enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and tasty brews, collected toys for a local hospital, and learned about IOCC’s most recent projects around the world. Lagunitas Brewery also generously donated sales to IOCC. It was festive fun all around! Thank you to Stacy Marakis and Maria Loukaki for organizing this great evening!

EAST LANSING, MI

Thanks to the Michigan State Orthodox Christian Fellowship for hosting IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes at their last meeting of 2018! More than 20 students attended for a special presentation about IOCC’s work in places like Syria, Greece, and the United States. Next semester, the students will also be collecting donations and purchasing and assembling hygiene kits so they can put their faith into action! Thank you to Ellen Rzepka for organizing this great evening!

BUFFALO, NY

More than 30 people gathered at St. George Orthodox Church on December 16 to participate in a Pan-Orthodox Paint Night, where they were guided in creating a special “Starry Night Nativity” painting. This family-friendly event featured drinks and snacks plus an IOCC Angel Tree, and it brought together Orthodox Christians from across the Buffalo area. Thanks to local artist and instructor Gabriella Damiano for organizing this fun, creative event!

Angel Trees Around the Country

Thank you to all the volunteers who hosted Angel Trees this Christmas season for IOCC:

  • Ss. Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Ben Lomond, CA
  • St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church GOYA in Lexington, MA
  • Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Chicopee, MA
  • St. Paul the Apostle Orthodox Church in Las Vegas, NV

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 at 410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org. Thank you for bringing IOCC to your community!

Check for updates at iocc.org/eventsAnd thank you for partnering with us!

  • February 2: Milwaukee, WI—IOCC Tailgate & Game Night
  • February 9: Pittsburgh, PA—International Soup Sampling & Health Kit Assembly
  • February 9: Bergenfield, NJ—A Taste of North Jersey to Benefit IOCC
  • February 17: Orange County, CA—Share the Love Event to Benefit IOCC
  • February 28: Cleveland, OH— European Wine Tasting to Benefit IOCC
  • April 13: Denver, CO—IOCC Awareness Dinner
  • May 16: Chicago, IL—Annual IOCC Grand Banquet & Silent Auction
  • May 19: Cleveland, OH—Annual IOCC Banquet

IOCC is Hiring

Bring your expertise to an organization making a difference around the world and join our team in the following position. Know someone who would be a perfect fit? Please pass this info along to them! For full job descriptions and application instructions, visitiocc.org/careers.

Executive Assistant
Administrative Project Assistant