Philoptochos

Chapter Update

Next Meeting, Sunday, May 19.  This is our last meeting before summer and we are having elections so please try and be in attendance.  

 It is not too late to join Philoptochos!  We INVITE you to EMBRACE membership in the Philoptochos Society and become INVOLVED in one of the most worthy organizations in the world!  Please see Barbara Vittas for membership forms or you can use the one at the bottom of this page by changing the year on the form.  We would love to have new people, ideas, experiences, and skill sets be a part of this most important organization of our church.

Our Outreach committee is always ready to serve.  If you need somone to come visit someone home bound or in need, please contact Fr. Vasile or Chairperson Rena Poletes for arrangements.  

We still have a healthy stock of the DVD Angels and Autism so if you know of anyone who would benefit from it, please see Joanie Ruppel or the bookstore to purchase a copy for only $10.   This is a timeless video and aimed to help those create understanding and tolerance for those with special disabilities with a subject geared to autism.

The "Shoes for Orphan Souls" project is ongoing.  If you are able, please purchase a pair of new tennis shoes for donation.  One of our families chose to have birthday party guests bring shoes for this project instead of toys - a fantastic idea!  Please put your donation in the clear plastic tub or if you are brave enough to seek out the actual collection box, that would be great too.   

Cookbooks are available to purchase for $15.  The cookbook was made from parishioners recipies and makes an excellent gift!

Please see our planned events for the next few weeks and sign up to help wherever your time and talent fit in. 

PLANNED EVENTS 2013:

May 19 - Meeting with Elections 

June 2 - Scholarship Presentation

 

 

COMPLETED EVENTS/PROJECTS 2013:

Jan 13 - Vasilopita auction, all proceeds sent to St. Basil's Academy.  Thank you to Toni, Angela & Georgia who headed up the baking crew and a big thanks to our young adult, Philip Sullivan, who conducted the auction!

Feb. 10 - Valentines Luncheon fundraiser with dessert auction - Thank you Bertha for chairing, Rena & Margaret for your talents.  And thank you to all who brought desserts to be auctioned!

March 3 - Membership Tea with guests National Board Member Martha Stephanidakis, Metropolis of Denver President Marian Catechis, and National Board Member Helen Carnegis from Dallas.  Thank you Barbara for opening your home to us for this special gathering.  Ladies, please turn in your membership forms and stewardship pledge by April 28.

Lenten Soup Supper #1 - Thank you!   

Lenten Soup Supper #2 - Double Thanks!

April 6 - The Couples Retreat was a huge success.  We had 13 couples participating and interacting with Father David Eckley and Presbytera Vasiliki's presentation.  A big thank you to Bertha Gianulis for spearheading this idea and seeing it come to fruition.  We hope to hold these retreats on a bi-annual basis changing the curriculum each time.    

Lenten Soup Supper #3 - Triple Thanks to Kathy Fox - we collected and forwarded to Holy Cross Hellenic College, the most we have ever sent!

Saturday, April 27 - Meeting and Baking Day

April 28 - Stewardship Pledges Turned In

May 2 - Dying of red eggs by volunteers - Thank You to Pat, Toni, Harriet & Toni H.

May 3 - Decorate Epitaphio

May 4/5 - Anastasi Reception - Thank you to Leo, Theresa A, Gail & Cecilia!

May 12 - Mother's Day Artoclasia and Memorial - Thank you to Athena, Marie, Voula & Khanh

You know what I see?  I see 11 - that's eleven - different people involved in the last three events we hosted.  There were also several people other than these eleven who helped decorate the Kouvouklion and helped with the bake sale.  I love it when we all lend a hand!

 

COMPLETED EVENTS/PROJECTS 2012:

January - Vasilopita auction, all proceeds sent to St. Basil's Academy.  Metropolitan Isaiah was among us and cut the bread.  Thank you to Toni N., Angela C., & Georgia P., who headed up the baking crew.  Also thanks to George Vittas for acting as auctioneer!

 February 12 - Once again our parish hall was transformed into a thing of beauty to celebrate the secular holiday of Valentines Day.  A gourmet meal was served and a delicious dessert raffle enjoyed by all who attended.   Thank you Bertha for chairing this event, to her family who helped cooked and to Leo Alexander for his delicious salad and general help.  

February 26 - Membership Tea was held at the home of Barbara Vittas.  Thank you Barbara for chairing the Stewardship committee.  

 March 2/16/30 - Lenten Soup Suppers ~7:00pm after Heretismoi service

March 25 - Coordinating of the parish Pan-Hellenic Vespers - thank you Alexanders & Geils

March 25, April 1, & April 8 - Collection for Easter Flowers

April 5 - Dying of Easter Eggs - thank you Toni and crew

April 6 - Dressing of the Kouvouklion - thank you Barbara and crew

April 7 - Easter Baking Day - thank you Toni & Angela and crew

April 8 - Delivery of Easter Bake Sale orders

April 15 - Anastasi reception - thank you Alexanders

May 5 - Festival of Tables - thank you Bertha & Allison

May 6 - Artoclasia  for St. Irene's Name Day - thank you Toni Nicholas for baking! 

July 16 - Presentation of $2000 grant to the Child Study Center in Ft. Worth 

Sept 1 - Executive Board Meeting

Oct 12-14 - Successful Festival!  Lots of cookbooks sold!

Nov 2-3 - Garage Sale profit just under $1500.  Capital Campaign pledge payment made.

Nov. 4 - Tray collection for Patron Saints of Philotochos, Sts. Cosmas and Damianos

Nov 9-11 - 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Denver Metropolis Center, Denver, CO.  Barb & Bert attended.

Nov 11 - Godparents Sunday gift card collection for Hurricane Sandy victims.  Cards sent directly to Staten Island Orthodox Churches with parishioners in need.  Over $150 was collected and sent.  Another $150 was collected and given to the church benevolent fund.

Nov 26 - Poinsettia sale forms distributed.  Flowers arrive Dec. 16. Thank you Connie & Angela for chairing this project!

Dec. 9 - Annual Christmas Dinner.  Thank you Barb V. & Margaret C. for chairing this event!

Dec. 15 - Bake Sale Baking and Meeting.  Thank you Toni & Angie for chairing this event!

Dec. 16 - Adopt-A-Family gift deadline.  Thank you Linda P. for chairing this project!

 

St. irene Philloptochos Scholarship
St. Irene Scholarship Fund was instituted in 1995 to help our parishes graduating high school seniors in their quest for further education.  Since then, a $1,000 scholarship has been given out annually (except when there were no applicants) for those who have met the requirements, and completed the scholarship application.  

In February of each year, applications are available and will be broadcast when they are due.  In March, the scholarship committee gathers with outside moderators to decide the receipient.  In April, usually the first week, the recipient is awarded the scholarship.  

Please see Harriet Blake for more information.

 See 2009 Walk-a-Thon pictures here 

Philoptochos Officers and Board for 2011-2013

President - Joanie Ruppel

Vice President - Barbara Vittas

Secretary - Rena Poletes

Treasurer - Angela Cline

Advisor - Bertha Gianulis

Pat Ballas - Board Member

Margaret Chokas - Board Member

Toni Nicholas - Board Member

Athena Pachares - Board Member

Connie Rafailedes - Board Member

Karen Steffaro - Board Member

 

Forms available on this website: 

  • Philoptochos 2012-2013 Calendar
  • Angels and Autism DVD Order Form
  • Philoptochos Pledge Form
  • Philoptochos Stewardship Letter
  • Poinsettia order form

    Bake Sale Form

    About The National Philoptochos Society

    The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, the official philanthropic organization of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, was established in November 1931, by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I, who was then serving as Archbishop of North and South America.

    The members of the National Board of Philoptochos are dedicated church women who offer countless hours to the philanthropic, humanitarian, and Christian mission of the Church. There are 485 Philoptochos chapters in the United States filled with 27,500 members.  

    The structure of the Philoptochos includes the National Board, Metropolitan Boards, and Chapters in every parish of the Archdiocese.

    St. John's Philoptochos was instituted in 1981 and is active with charity work, bake sales, a Festival of Tables every other year, and various projects within the community.   It is with elation we have celebrated the 80th anniversary of the beginning of National Philoptochos in 2011.

    OUR MISSION:  To aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the disabled, the victim's of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the church through fundraising efforts.