IOCC Volunteer Update | March 2019

March 31, 2019

Reflections, Recipes, & Resources for Great Lent

IOCC has created a Lenten Resources page which features reflections on service from IOCC staff members, recipes, and a collection of Lenten resources to inspire you this season. We send a heartfelt thank you to all of the volunteers who contributed to our Lenten recipes collection. Visit iocc.org/lent for reflections, recipes, and more.

Volunteers Needed for Home Builds

As summer approaches, IOCC has several volunteer opportunities to support long-term recovery after disasters. Communities affected by these catastrophes often face great need long after the crisis has ended, and we are looking for volunteers to help repair and rebuild homes (no skills required). Current opportunities:

  • April 15–20 in Houston, TX (18+ only)
  • May 20–25 in Daytona Beach, FL
  • June 3–8 in Houston, TX
  • July 8–13 in Houston, TX
  • July 15–20 in Houston, TX (18+ only)
  • August 12–17 in Houston, TX

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

Water is Life

IOCC celebrated World Water Day on March 22. Without water, it’s impossible for humans to survive—let alone stay clean and healthy. So what happens if an area where water is already scarce suddenly sees its population spike? Check out IOCC’s partnership with Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) here, and see how we’re helping improve access to clean water, lowering risk for disease, and improving quality of life.

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.

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

IOCC Awareness Events

THANK YOU to the IOCC volunteers across the country who support our mission every day!

LONG ISLAND, NY

More than 100 Orthodox professionals came together on February 23 for Finding Faith in Your Profession, a dinner dance hosted by Church of the Holy Resurrection. The evening began with a cocktail hour, and later participants enjoyed brief presentations on vocation by local Orthodox leaders. Dinner featured a delicious buffet of food provided by local restaurants before guests danced the night away to Paul Katsaros’s music. Lou Zagami, IOCC Development Officer, thanked the crowd for generously supporting IOCC’s work and for welcoming IOCC to the Long Island area in recent months. Thanks to Alex Gratsias and the rest of the event committee for their hard work organizing a wonderful evening!

CLEVELAND, OH

On February 28, the IOCC Cleveland Metropolitan Committee hosted its second annual European Wine Tasting to Benefit IOCC at St. Michael’s Woodside Event Center. More than 115 IOCC supporters turned out to enjoy a four-course dinner with wine pairings, complete with live music by local group Sarena Orchestra. Guests learned about current IOCC projects around the world, as well as how they could get involved with the committee. The evening ended with fellowship and fun prizes by generous donors. Thanks to Pete Theodore and the rest of the Cleveland committee for hosting a lovely evening!

RALEIGH, NC

Over 150 Orthodox faithful in the Triangle area of North Carolina attended the Sunday of Orthodoxy Pan-Orthodox Vespers on March 17, hosted by St. Raphael Antiochian Orthodox Church in Fuquay-Varina. Fr. James Guirguis and Dn. Peter Keener co-celebrated this beautiful Lenten service with five priests and two deacons from the surrounding Orthodox communities. After the service, Fr. Constantine Shepherd of Annunciation Greek Orthodox church in Winston-Salem offered a few words about his experience as an IOCC Frontline volunteer. Frontliners are trained clergy and lay professionals who respond to disasters within the United States. His inspiring words detailed IOCC’s response to Hurricane Florence in Columbia, SC, which included clean-up buckets and emergency health kits, as well as the deployment of IOCC Frontline emotional and spiritual care counselors. After the services, a Lenten meal was served, and guests enjoyed catching up with one another. Our thanks to Fr. James Guirguis, the St. Raphael community, Helen Paliouras, and Fr. Constantine Shepherd for their efforts in making this special event possible once again!

BUFFALO, NY

On March 17, Orthodox faithful from several parishes in the Buffalo area joined for a Sunday of Orthodoxy Pan-Orthodox Vespers, hosted by St. George Orthodox Church. Clergy included host priest Fr. Jason Vansuch; Fr. Raphael Barberg of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church; Fr. Christos Christakis and the newly ordained Dn. Benjamin Rossiter of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church; Fr. John Boddecker of St. Theodore Orthodox Church; Fr. Vladimir Zablotskyy of Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church; Fr. Vladislav Golic of St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church; and Fr. Markos Debas from St. Mary Eritrean Orthodox Church. Afterwards, attendees enjoyed a wonderful meal together, and IOCC Development Officer Lou Zagami led a discussion on the organization’s work, offering updates on current IOCC projects in Africa, Greece, the Middle East, Serbia, and the United States. Lou also took a moment to recognize IOCC volunteer Gabriella Damiano for her efforts in developing a pan-Orthodox committee in the Buffalo area. Thanks to Fr. Jason Vansuch and the entire St. George community for opening its doors to IOCC!