|
WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING
COVID-19 SOCIAL SERVICE APPLICATIONS
|
|
|
The National Philoptochos Department of Social Services is still accepting COVID-19 applications. This is a trying time, a time when everyone is struggling in one way or another. But it is also a time when the faithful and generous stewards of Philoptochos can continue to help, as we have for nearly 90 years and as we will do for as long as need exists.
If you or someone you know requires, financial assistance, please visit our site to access the Social Services application here. |
|
Back to School:
The New 3 R’s for 2020
|
|
Back by popular demand from the 2020 National Philoptochos Virtual Biennial Convention. Dr. Anderson joined us for a Facebook "live" presentation on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, focusing on the 3 R’s for the 2021-2022 school year for both parents and students. To watch the video, click here.
Dr. Anderson's 3 R's Resource List can be found here.
|
|
|
Checking In on Operation Classroom
In conjunction with the National Philoptochos Operation Classroom program, Holy Trinity Church Philoptochos in Fort Wayne, IN adopted a local elementary school with a high percentage of needy children.
The last time we heard from the Holy Trinity Church Philoptochos, they had spoken about their Shoe Drive. Typically, they hold a Shoe Drive to collect new athletic shoes to donate to their adopted school, Bloomingdale Elementary. They like to help the students "Start the school year on the right foot."
This school year, the chapter learned that due to the virus, their adoptive school was in need of outdoor recess equipment for the students. To keep the students safe, they are trying not to share equipment (balls, jump ropes, etc.) between classrooms. Many schools are attempting to keep students in small units, sometimes referred to as "families" or "cohorts," to limit school-wide exposure, should a student become infected. What a challenging time for students and teachers!
In addition to numerous pairs of new shoes, they were able to raise enough funds to outfit each classroom with kickballs, soccer balls, basketballs, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, and a mesh bag in which to store the equipment.
The needs within schools have changed and become more challenging during this time and it is worth reaching out to the local schools in the community to see if they are lacking certain items that can help keep students and teachers safe.
 |
|
|
Making a Difference to Children and Adults
The St. Luke Church Philoptochos chapter of Broomall, PA made a donation to The Arc of Chester County towards renovations required to comply with CDC guidelines for the reopening of their preschool this fall. The Arc focuses on children with developmental disabilities and support for their families. The chapter has been very impressed with the dignified and compassionate care they deliver and have been blessed in establishing a meaningful relationship with them.
The chapter also donated to FOCUS (Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve) North America Back to School Backpack Program which provides backpacks filled with school supplies for students living at or below the poverty line in the School District of Philadelphia.
The chapter has established strong relationships with the Program Coordinators at both FOCUS North America and the School District, and are pleased to support their important work on behalf of the school children in Philadelphia.
Their chapter has successfully completed their Veteran's project fundraiser. They are now able to help an honored Veteran with a donation of $15,000 to AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors, Inc. for the purchase of a service dog.
The chapter members wholeheartedly approached this project with the love of country and those that help keep it safe. They are thrilled to be a part of the AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors, Inc. Campaign. They will even be naming the dog!
|
|
|
METROPOLISES & CHAPTERS ARE ADAPTING
|
|
|
|
Philanthropy Today - How Giving Has Been Adapted
 Friendship Place
The Saint Sophia Cathedral Philoptochos Chapter in Washington, DC has continued to support the needs of the homeless and hungry in the Nation's capital through their partnership with Friendship Place. The pandemic has brought about many changes in the way Friendship Place serves its constituents and the way their chapter supports that work. The pandemic has also required Friendship Place to reconfigure the way its staff does their work. New systems had to be set up to ensure that those who relied on the drop-in center for support, now can receive help by other means.
The chapter delivered their annual donation of $750 to Friendship Place earlier than usual to ensure that it could help bring people what they need when they needed it; and two months later, because the emergency was continuing, they delivered an additional $300.
The chapter's annual Back-to-School drive for the children of families served by Friendship Place also had to be reimagined. Instead of collecting stocked backpacks, they asked for donations that were earmarked for purchase of supplies to meet individual students’ needs. Needed school supplies are purchased and delivered by Friendship Place case workers who ensure that they go where the need is greatest.
In addition, we directed donations from AHEPA for Feeding the Hungry to the Capital Area Food Bank which supports meal programs across the area.
Face Masks
Kaara Ettensvolt, one of the chapter's Philoptochos sisters is a longtime volunteer at Walter Reed National Medical Military Center. She was asked for help to provide homemade, cloth face masks for the Medical Center staff who are not in contact with patients. Kaara an d three other Philoptochos sisters sewed the masks, washed them, placed each mask in a plastic bag and mailed them, following the non-contact rules, to the Medical Center. Another Philoptochos sister, Linda Loukas, and her friend will continue making cloth masks for the children of “Haitian Angels,” an orphanage in Haiti.
 Partners For Kids in Care
The Covid-19 crisis restrictions curtailed the annual Philoptochos Spring Drive after only two weeks with the closure of their beloved Saint Sophia Cathedral and the building which houses the District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) and Partners for Kids in Care. Partners for Kids in Care is a non-profit arm of CFSA which serves the nearly 800 children, newborn to age 21, in DC foster care and the 1,100 families-in-need with foster care preventive services and basic necessities including infant kits, diapers, toiletries, clothing, grocery gift cards and other important supplies.
Because their building was closed, physical donations could not be delivered to Partners for Kids in Care. Prior to the curtailment of the Spring Drive, Philoptochos received cash donations of $1,100 which Philoptochos happily donated to Partners for Kids in Care through their on-line donation site.
Philoptochos is grateful for the continuing generous support from Saint Sophia Cathedral parishioners to this important community outreach mission.
The Brooks
The Brooks is a new family housing facility near Saint Sophia Cathedral. Friendship Place won a competitively awarded contract to manage The Brooks based on its 30-year track record of excellence in moving people from homelessness to permanent housing. Built to serve up to 50 families, The Brooks opened its doors in the first week of the shutdown and now houses several mothers and mothers-to-be who must observe shelter-in-place protocols. Some of their needs cannot be met under the terms of the DC contract so the chapter has been stepping up to fill the gap through direct delivery of those things the contract can't cover, e.g., a certain brand of infant formula or preemie-size diapers. Those items that cannot be ordered online are purchased and delivered to the facility.
The chapter has received certain donations that were restricted to use for infants and children. They have spent some of those on requested items (formula and diapers) and plan to use the rest to meet future special needs as they arise.
Our Military Kids
Our Military Kids supports the children of deployed National Guard and Reserve personnel as well as wounded veterans from all service branches. This organization provides grants, up to $300 each, to subsidize a child's chosen activity. The grants pay for participation in programs like educational tutoring sessions, fitness and sports, fine arts, and enrichment programs that help them cope with stress, anxiety, and additional challenges that may arise when a parent is recovering from an injury or during deployment.
An example of one of those military kids is Gabby Douglas. Her father was deployed in Iraq and the family at home was experiencing financial difficulties. Gabby was awarded a grant which enabled her to continue her gymnastics training where she excelled.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some of these activities have been curtailed, but others are still available to children online. The chapter donated $500 to help subsidize the grants.
|
|
|
Providing the Necessities
The Sts. Constantine and Helen Church Philoptochos chapter in Westland, MI worked together to facilitate Project Samaritas.
Samaritas, one of Michigan’s largest faith-based, nonprofit, health and human services agencies serves nearly 14,000 people statewide. They offer hope and compassion to connect people with families and communities, empower them to live their fullest life possible and create a ripple effect of transformation.
Non-perishable foods, children’s books and activities, diapers, wipes, and many other needed items were contributed by the Sts. Constantine and Helen Church Philoptochos members and the entire congregation to support the many facets of the Samaritas community.
|
|
|
Seeing Greater Need, This Chapter Stepped Up
During these challenging times with the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sts. Constantine & Helen Church Philoptochos chapter of Washington, DC continues to spread outreach of love and kindness.
 During the month of August 2020, the chapter sponsored a Philoptochos Book Drive to benefit Onley Help. Olney Help provided them with a list of books needed for this project, and they sent out an email to all members of the community. The chapter gives a special thank you to Sotirios and JoAnn Nasios for collecting the books for the children. It was a great success it was!
The community has held several outreach events this summer due to the overwhelming need in Montgomery County, MD for food and clothing, and most recently school supplies for children, as many parents were left unemployed and almost homeless. The parish has partnered with organizations like Manna Food, Interfaith Clothing and The National Center for Children and Families, all organizations that serve children and families in Montgomery County. The chapter thanks Georgia Ferentinos for organizing the community.
 Their parish’s Special Events Committee and the Outreach Committee are sponsoring Zoom Cooking Classes for the community and friends as they celebrate community spirit and learn to cook together for fun. Zoom Cooking Classes are held at the individual homes or restaurant businesses in the community. The Guest Chef for their first Zoom Cooking Class was their very own Maria Kafarakis – MARIA KAFARAKIS AKA YIAYIA WATCH - who taught them how to make the best ever galacktobouriko! They thank Effie Tiches for organizing their Zoom Cooking Classes. To date, they have held eight Zoom Cooking Classes since May, and they are scheduling more in the coming months. It's fun to see how others make delicious recipes, and fun to see the faces of family and friends in the kitchen!
They also had an outreach event in September that was greatly supported, not just with supplies, but with love!
|
|
|
Helping with a Very Important Donation
 During this COVID crisis, blood supplies have been lower than ever. As a matter of fact, 70% of scheduled blood drives have been cancelled making this a very desperate time for those needing blood.
St. Demetrios Church Philoptochos Chapter in Ft. Worth, TX recently hosted a blood drive so that they could assist those with a most important gift, the gift of life. Eighteen donors came to the drive to donate whole blood, platelets, plasma and red blood cells. The blood will be tested for COVID antibodies, so if anyone's blood shows up with the antibody, they have the option to donate plasma.
They pray that their donations will save many lives. Everyone that donated said it was the best gift they could give.
|
|
|
Miss You Project
 The St. Nicholas Church Philoptochos Chapter in Ann Arbor, MI is reaching out to their members with their new Miss You project.
Even though their chapter continues having Philoptochos Zoom meetings, it’s not the same as seeing a friendly face. They missed seeing each other in person. With this in mind, they reached out to their membership to see who was interested in a visit using social distancing precautions. The weather has been fairly cooperative, and all enjoyed seeing one another.
|
|
|
Fun, Friendship and Philanthropy
 The St. Nicholas Church Philoptochos Chapter in Wilmington, NC held a Kick Off the New Year Mask-A-Rade Meeting.
They met outside the church building with masks and hand sanitizer in abundance. Members brought snacks for the local Brigade Boys and Girls Club which hosts over 100 children each day for school sessions.
It was a great way to meet in a safe environment while continuing to do good works.
|
|
|
Future of Philoptochos
Article sent by the Annunciation Church Philoptochos Chapter in Dayton, OH
The future of Philoptochos lives with our children and grandchildren. These young ladies are inspiring. At such young ages, they choose to spend their time, talent and treasure to help lift the spirits of others and give to those in need. Truly our future.
Philanthropy in motion!
Meet 9 year old Katie McAlpine, daughter of Chris and Beth McAlpine, Yiayia and Papou Kathy and Jay McAlpine. What started out as a summer craft grew into a very special fundraiser for Katie. With the help of her sister Lily, they found rocks in their yard and started painting them with fun colors and designs. Katie got the idea to market the rocks on Facebook and asked for donations with the goal of sending the money to nurses who were caring for Covid 19 patients. With the $600 raised, Katie made the donation in the form of snacks and gift cards to nurses at Kettering Medical Center. Of the 350 rocks her and her sister painted, over 100 rocks were donated to the staff and patients to lift their spirits. The staff was so touched by the donation, they bought some of the rocks to help Katie with her next philanthropic project. If you would like to support Katie’s project, you may contact her father Chris at 937-657-9976.
 
Future Philoptochos Entrepreneurs
Eight year old Evey and six year old Julia with the support of two year old Alexandra are future Philoptochos entrepreneurs!. They are daughters of Dena and Demetri Inempolidis and Yiayia and Papou Ruthann and Jim Zavakos. Four years ago they started making homemade taco seasoning mix with their mother and created their own label called 3 Sisters Spice Company. Evey and Julia decided this year they would sell their product and donate the money to the Dayton Children’s Medical Center and the Humane Society of Dayton. The taco seasoning sells for $5.00 a packet. So far they have raised $150! Evey, with the help of her dad, created her own Excel spreadsheet to keep track of sales. If you would like to support 3 Sisters Spice Company contact Dena at Dena.Inempolidis@gmail.com.
The philosophy and mission of Philoptochos lives in all of you!
|
|
|
September
Hellenic College Holy Cross Scholarship Fund
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross commitment provides tuition scholarships to worthy and dedicated students, both men and women at Hellenic College and seminarians at Holy Cross, to assist with tuition expenses.
Commitment Amount: Determined by Chapter
Retired Clergy and Widowed Presvyteres Benevolent Fund (RCA)
Provides financial support to retired clergy and widowed presvyteres. Philoptochos funds also provide short-term support for clergy and their families in time of crisis, responding to critical needs such as uncovered medical expenses, rent, utilities, and insurance.
Commitment Amount: Determined by Chapter
|
|
Do you know that you can support Philoptochos by shopping through Amazon?
AmazonSmile (smile.Amazon.com) is the charitable division of Amazon.com. Customers enjoy the same wide selection of products and low prices as on Amazon.com, with the added benefit of knowing that 0.5% of the purchase price will be donated to the charitable organization of their choice.
Thank you for supporting Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society Inc. by shopping at smile.amazon.com.
|
|
|
National Philoptochos Online Giving Page
By clicking on the button below, please make a contribution to the Emergency Fund to aid the National Philoptochos COVID-19 Response.
|
|
|
|
