NEW YORK – National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas announced today that donations totaling $160,000 from Philoptochos Chapters and friends of Philoptochos nationwide for the Philoptochos Appeal are being distributed to five organizations in Greece for the relief of our brethren suffering due to the severe economic crisis. These funds are in addition to the $25,000 donation offered in February 2012 from the National Philoptochos Emergency Fund expedited through IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) that provided medical supplies and food staples to the people affected by the economic crisis.
President Skeadas reported that many requests for aid were submitted to Philoptochos and the selection of the following organizations was determined by the Executive Council of the National Philoptochos based on the extensive research and recommendations of a special committee led by Paulette Geanacopoulos, National Philoptochos Social Worker.
Apostoli - $50,000
Apostoli is the non-governmental, non-profit organization founded by the Social Services Department of the Archdiocese of Athens. Their main objective is to provide immediate assistance to children, elderly and families suffering hunger, disabilities and illness.
Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki - $50,000
The Metropolis of Thessaloniki, under the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthimos, will provide assistance for those who are suffering.
Holy Archdiocese of Crete - $25,000
The Archdiocese of Crete, under the leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Irenaios, will distribute food and medical supplies those in need in Crete.
Kivotos Tou Kosmou (Ark of the World) - $10,000
Kivotos was founded and is guided by Reverend Father Antonios Papanicolaou in order to provide care and support, offering hope for children and their families. Kivotos provides food, clothing, education and shelter to more than 150 needy children daily. The goal of Kivotos is to keep families together.
Theotokos Foundation - $25,000
The Theotokos Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Ilion, Athens - Greece. For more than 45 years it has served more than 5,000 children, adults and families with learning and other developmental disabilities. Its services provide children and adults opportunities to communicate, function with adequacy, be independent and self-sufficient, and enter the workforce. Due to the financial crisis this philanthropic organization, as well as many others, has seen the financial assistance provided by the Greek Government substantially reduced making them unable to provide care for those in need.
For this important expression of love, National President Skeadas expresses her gratitude to all those who so generously responded to the call of the National Philoptochos and anticipates that additional funds will be collected for this worthy effort. Donations may be sent to National Philoptochos, 7 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019 or can be made online at www.philoptochos.org.
For more information: Christine Karavites, National Public Relations, 508.982.4276