IOCC Volunteer Update | October 2018

IOCC Volunteer Update | October 2018

October 31, 2018

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 IOCC angel tree ornaments available for download. Cut out the templates and 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 410.234.9820.

IOCC Sunday is November 18

IOCC’s Day of Sharing is around the corner! There are many ways to bring your church community together to help celebrate this special day on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Encourage clergy participation. Ask your priest to read the IOCC Sunday Encyclical from the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States, and take a special collection for IOCC.
  • Dedicate an activity after liturgy to IOCC. Organize a coffee hour or host a luncheon after liturgy to introduce the life-saving work IOCC does around the world. Show a video, display materials on a table for parishioners to take home, or raise funds to support those in need.
  • Involve parish youth with a fun event. Even in the cold weather, there are so many things youth groups and Sunday School classes can do! Hold a kit drive or a have them host a fundraiser—a gyro sale, frappe sale, or spaghetti dinner are all great ideas.

Need a flyer or promo materials for your parish on IOCC Sunday? Contact an Outreach Coordinator at outreach@iocc.org or 410.234.9820. Visit iocc.org/DayofSharingto get started.

Coming Up: #GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday on November 27 is a global day of giving back, a day to give hope and help. In 2017 your #GivingTuesday donations helped IOCC provide emergency relief, job opportunities, clean water, and so much more. This year double your impact and help IOCC continue to provide humanitarian relief and development support. Your gifts will bematched dollar for dollar by generous donors up to $25,000Donate today!

Race with TEAM IOCC This Fall

Got a race coming up in your hometown—perhaps a marathon or Turkey Trot? Register for your favorite race, and run solo or with a team for IOCC. Get started atsupport.iocc.org/DIY to create your personal page to share with family and friends—make your miles matter!

Did You Know …?

October is breast cancer awareness month, and IOCC is working with the Lebanon Ministry of Health on an awareness campaign. At a health fair in Beirut, IOCC health staff gave out self-care kits for mothers and educational materials promoting breastfeeding and its role in decreasing the risk of breast cancer.

IOCC Awareness Events

New York City, NY

On Thursday, September 27, more than 60 young professionals in the New York City area gathered for a happy hour to benefit IOCC at Maison Pickle on the Upper West Side. Guests mingled over delicious restaurant bites and drinks, enjoyed fellowship, and learned about IOCC’s work around the world.  IOCC Development Officer Lou Zagami updated attendees on IOCC’s response to the wildfires in Greece and to Hurricane Florence, among other things. Many thanks to Fr. Chrysostomos Gilbert, the Annunciation Young Professionals Group, and Maison Pickle for making this great evening possible!

Chicago, IL

On September 29, about 250 IOCC supporters in the Chicago area turned out on a beautiful fall morning to “walk to the walk” for IOCC—the most attendees to date! His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, along with several clergy, joined the walk and enjoyed a reception with guests at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church. IOCC Development Officer Nick Kasemeotes offered a few remarks along with a video featuring IOCC’s global work, and the group enjoyed a warm breakfast together. Thanks to Bill Vranas, Maria Loukaki, Alex Mazarakos, and the rest of the volunteers for putting on another fantastic walk! (Image: Elios Photography)

Akron, OH

On September 29, Orthodox Christians gathered to take part in the 2018 Akron Marathon for Team IOCC for the fourth straight year. Participants joined from several parishes, including Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and St. Elias Orthodox Church. One team named the “Blue Line Babes” included Irene Theodore, long-time IOCC supporter and volunteer who at 86 years young completed a four-mile leg of the team marathon relay. It was a beautiful fall morning spent raising awareness and funds for IOCC, and we’re so grateful! Thank you to Maria Nicol and Christine Salem for helping to organize this year’s team!

Seattle, WA

On Thursday, October 4, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church hosted the annual IOCC Reception. Nearly 40 people and clergy from local parishes gathered to enjoy a selection of hand-picked local wines and heavy hors d’oeuvres. IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes gave a brief update about IOCC’s work around the world, and emcee Theodore Angelis ended the evening with thanks and an appeal for a special offering. Special thanks to Kim Angelis and the Seattle Metropolitan Committee for all of their hard work on this great evening!

Salt Lake City, UT

On Thursday, October 11, more than 70 guests attended the Fifth Annual Wine and Chef’s Tasting to benefit IOCC, held at the Alta Club in Salt Lake City. Guests were treated to fine wine and tastes of superb food, as well a beautiful silent auction featuring jewelry, high-end gift baskets, and symphony tickets. Fr. Anthony Savas welcomed guests and emceed the evening, introducing IOCC Gift Officer Nicholas Kasemeotes, who offered an update on the Middle East, Africa, and US programs. Thank you to Fr. Anthony Savas and the entire committee who made this special evening a huge success!

Long Island, NY

On October 14, the weekend of their patron saint’s feast day, St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church opened up their doors for a special presentation. IOCC Development Officer Lou Zagami updated parishioners on IOCC’s work around the world, in places like Greece, the Middle East, and right here at home in the US, and Orthodox faithful renewed their support and dedication to the cause. Thank you to Fr. Louis Nicholas and the congregation at St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church for welcoming IOCC!

Richmond, VA

Tennis aficionados in the Richmond area were treated to a full weekend of fun on October 13–14, with the second year of Serving for Charity: Express Tennis Tournament. On Saturday, guests came out to watch a professional tennis exhibition match under great weather, and the scores could not have been closer. On Sunday, sixteen mixed-doubles teams competed in a tournament on clay, all in the name of raising awareness and funds for IOCC. Congratulations to Melody Morton and Kim Boys, tournament champions! Thank you to the Community Outreach Committee of Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and to those who sponsored the tournament or contributed in any way. And a heartfelt thanks to tournament chair Mark Chronis, who led the way with tennis for a cause again this year!

Baltimore, MD

For the sixth year in a row, IOCC staff, volunteers, and supporters came out on a beautiful fall morning to walk or run in the Baltimore Running Festival for Team IOCC. We had 28 people participating in everything from the full and half marathons to the team relay and 5K, and in all, five Orthodox parishes were represented. Some faithful supporters even joined from as far away as Ohio to partake in the fun! The evening before the races, participants enjoyed a team dinner hosted by St. Andrew Orthodox Church, and Fr. Ted Boback shared some of his experience as a Frontliner responding to Hurricane Florence in North Carolina. Thank you to all those who made a difference through Team IOCC, and thanks to St. Andrew’s for hosting IOCC’s hometown event this year!

Dallas, TX

Nearly 120 supporters from the greater Dallas area gathered for an Evening to Benefit IOCC on Saturday, October 20 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Fr. Peter Kostakis welcomed guests and offered the invocation to the annual event, and Charles Pappas served as emcee for the evening. IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes offered a short presentation about IOCC’s latest work, and Fr. Gerasim Eliel offered the benediction at the end of the evening. Participants also enjoyed a silent auction, which featured items like Pappas Restaurants gift cards, wine collections, and Orthodox-themed gift baskets. Later, two local groups performed traditional Ukrainian and Greek folk dances for guests. Thank you to Fr. Peter Kostakis and all the volunteers who made this happen!

Philadelphia, PA

On Sunday, October 21, the Greater Philadelphia Committee of IOCC hosted its Seventh Annual Benefit Banquet at Adelphia Restaurant. More than 250 guests gathered to enjoy a delicious meal, peruse the silent auction items, and celebrate the work of IOCC. The Pan-Orthodox choir of Philadelphia began the evening with a short performance, and Fr. Christoforos Oikonomidis blessed the dinner. Dan Christopulos, US Country Representative for IOCC, gave the keynote address, focusing on the work of IOCC Frontliners and IOCC’s hurricane response in recent months, and the role each of us has in serving others. Thanks to the Philadelphia committee, especially Tony and Kathy Pantazopoulos, Harry and Connie Bandy, Jane Kelly, and all the volunteers who made another lovely evening for IOCC possible! (Image: Photo by Stellios)

Charlotte, NC

On Saturday, October 27, about 150 Orthodox faithful from several parishes in the Charlotte area came out to enjoy a display of art and talent to support IOCC. This year’s event, Orthodoxy’s Got Talent, was hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and featured a wide variety of the creativity present in the community. Fr. Vasileios Tsourlis opened the evening in prayer, and performers charmed the audience with piano, violin, singing, line dancing, and even a tango duet! Throughout the evening, guests visited exhibitors selling everything from candles to wine to mixed-media art and woodworking. IOCC Development Officer Lou Zagami updated the crowd on the difference their support has made for hurricane survivors here in the US and victims of podoconiosis in Ethiopia, thanking them for their faithful support. Thank you to event chair Bill Leonidas, IOCC board member Laura Nixon, and the rest of the Charlotte committee for their hard work and creativity in putting on such a fun evening!

Indianapolis, IN

More than 100 people came out on Sunday, October 28 to support the Dinner Around the World event to support IOCC. Joy of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church hosted this great Pan-Orthodox evening which featured a sampling of foods from countries where IOCC responds. Participants also enjoyed a performance by Serbian folk dance group called Talija, who came in from Chicago for the event. Fr. Stevan Bauman emceed the evening and introduced IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes, who gave an update on IOCC’s global programs. The evening had tremendous support from local Orthodox clergy, including Fr. Nabil Hanna, Fr. William Bartz, Fr. Dragan Petrovic, Fr. David Wey, Fr. Philip Lashbrook, Fr. Zachariah Trent, Fr. Lucas Christianson, Fr. John Miller, Fr. Radoslav Filipovic, Fr. Dn. Lucian Stant, and host Fr. Stevan Bauman—nine of whom attended. Thank you to Fr. Stevan Bauman and volunteer Maureen Laferney for making this great Pan-Orthodox evening possible!

Volunteers in Action

Let us know about your kit drives and IOCC presentations—email images and brief write-ups to outreach@iocc.org so we can feature them here. And thank you!

Pittsburgh, PA

The children at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral braved unseasonably cold temperatures to collect money for IOCC’s hurricane response before liturgy outside of church. Organizers of the Church School bake sale also chipped in to support the children’s initiative. Thanks to Mark Winowich, the Church School children, and organizers of the bake sale for thinking of those in need right here at home!

Annapolis, MD

Thank you to the GOYA of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church who assembled 84 hygiene kits this past month. The teens were inspired to help those affected by Hurricane Florence in North and South Carolina. Thank you to Debbie Chacona and all the young people who volunteered their time to help those in need!

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!

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
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant