IOCC Thanks You!
All year round, you make IOCC’s assistance to those in need possible. When you share your enthusiasm and support for IOCC with others, you are helping refugees rebuild their lives, improving the health of mothers and infants, and giving entrepreneurs the confidence to grow their livelihoods. Thank you for all you do in bringing IOCC to your community! You are a vital part of IOCC’s mission in the world.
Host an IOCC Angel Tree Reception or Coffee Hour
Looking for a creative way to share IOCC with your parish during the Christmas season? Host an IOCC “Angel Tree” in your church hall throughout the month of December, or choose a Sunday to host a special coffee hour. It’s easy—we have free IOCC angel tree ornaments ready to be shipped. Hang on a Christmas tree or display in your church hall for people to choose how they can help others this Nativity. Get started by contacting an Outreach Coordinator at outreach@iocc.org or 410.243.9820.
Volunteer for an Upcoming Home Build
As summer approaches, IOCC will have 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 build in Daytona Beach, Florida, January 6-11, 2020.
#GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday will be December 3 this year, and it’s right around the corner! This year’s campaign will give you a chance to double your impact for IOCC in 2019. Thanks to a generous donor, IOCC will match all gifts dollar for dollar, up to $10,000. Donations to IOCC allow us to provide emergency relief after a disaster, clean water to those in remote areas, tools to help farmers grow sustainable crops, and so much more.
Prayer Journals Are Now Available
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.
Thanks for Celebrating IOCC Sunday With Us
Our deepest thanks to all of the volunteers and parishes who partnered with us to celebrate IOCC’s “Day of Sharing” on November 24. Volunteer initiatives across the country included everything from coffee hours to presentations about our work, and even delicious bake sales. Thank you to ALL who hosted, especially St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington DC; St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in San Anselmo, CA; St. Mary Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA; St. Vladimir Orthodox Church in Dexter, MI; St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, IL; St. John the Divine Orthodox Church in Lake Charles, LA; Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Pawtucket, RI; Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington, DE; St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church in Stockton, CA; St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Chapel Hill, NC; Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in New York, NY; the Monastery of Saint Tikhon in Waymart, PA; and St. John the Baptist in Canonsburg, PA. Interested in hosting an IOCC Sunday event next year? Contact outreach@iocc.org to get started!
IOCC Awareness Events
Thank you to the IOCC volunteers across the country who support our mission every day!
Indianapolis, IN
Guests from several Orthodox parishes in the Indianapolis area gathered on Sunday November 3 to attend the Indiana Wine and Cheese Tasting to Benefit IOCC. St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church hosted this great gathering, which featured Indiana wines and cheese, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and live music from a singer-songwriter duo. Host Fr. Dragan emceed the evening and introduced IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes, who gave an update on IOCC’s global programs. Fr. Gregory Honholt also offered a few words, sharing his experience as an IOCC Frontliner. Thank you to Fr. Dragan Petrovic, Fotios Kafantaris, and all of the volunteers who made this great Pan-Orthodox evening possible!
St. Louis, MO
More than 100 people came together for the Annual IOCC Banquet on November 10, this year at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The chair of the IOCC St. Louis Metropolitan Committee, Mary Angelides, emceed the evening, Fr. Douglas Papulis offered the invocation, and attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner before hearing the keynote address from IOCC’s Executive Director and CEO Constantine Triantafilou. IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes also offered a short IOCC update at the end of the evening. An award was presented to long-time committee members Christine and Harry Lemakis, who have dedicated many years of support to IOCC’s Metropolitan Committee in St. Louis. Thank you to Mary Angelides and the entire St. Louis committee for their hard work hosting another successful banquet!
San Francisco, CA
Sunday November 10 saw over 150 guests attend the 27th Annual Remembering Home Banquet, hosted by the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church in Novato, CA. The evening began with Vespers, followed by a beautiful reception, silent auction, and dinner. Host Fr. John Kocolas offered the invocation and introduced vocalist Jennifer Walters, who sang a beautiful rendition of “God Bless America,” as well as the Women’s Byzantine Choir, who offered several hymns. IOCC San Francisco Metropolitan Committee Chair Steve Kreta served as emcee and introduced special guest Stacey Mason, IOCC Director of Operations, who shared the keynote address. His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco also sent a letter of greetings and support that was read aloud by Fr. John Kocolas. The highlight of the evening was the Nikolai Ensemble from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in San Anselmo, who got the crowd on their feet with great music. Thank you to Steve Kreta, Rose Hunter, the Nativity community, and the countless volunteers who made this day possible!
Rochester, MN
On Wednesday, November 13, Gus Chafoulias hosted a reception and IOCC presentation at his home, where guests gathered for a lovely evening of hors d’oeuvres and fellowship. Following dinner, IOCC Director of Development and Communications Katrina Straker, IOCC Site Supervisor Dan Hoeft, and Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes offered remarks about IOCC’s recent work. Many thanks to Gus for graciously opening his home and hosting this special evening!
Minneapolis, MN
On Thursday November 14, the Twin Cities Annual IOCC Dinner took place at St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis. Emcee and IOCC US Country Representative Dan Christopulos welcomed more than 130 guests from parishes across the Twin Cities area, and also introduced IOCC home build participant Joseph Karos to share a few words. Special guest Katrina Straker, IOCC Director of Development and Communications, offered a heartfelt story from her recent trip to Greece, and IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes offered the evening’s closing remarks. For the third year in a row, participants enjoyed the lively “dessert dash,” where tables got to bid on and choose from a beautiful spread of desserts. Thank you to MaryKay Twito and to ALL the volunteers who donated beautiful desserts and made this evening possible!
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!
- December 3: East Lansing, MI—IOCC Presentation at OCF Meeting
- December 4: Grand Rapids, MI—IOCC Presentation
- December 8: Bloomfield Hills, MI—IOCC Presentation and Coffee Hour
- January 30: Cleveland, OH—A European Wine Tasting to Benefit IOCC
- February 1: Milwaukee, WI—IOCC Tailgate Event
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.