International Orthodox Christian Charities

IOCC Volunteer Update – March 2009

Obedience by Faith
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” — 1 John 4:20-21

Please pray for our volunteers and the upcoming IOCC events this month:

March 1st – Boston, MA – Gaza Relief Dinner
visit www.iocc.org for more information

March 1st – Syracuse, NY – Gaza Relief Lunch
visit www.iocc.org for more information

March 8th – Portland, OR – Sunday of Orthodox Discussion and Dinner
visit www.iocc.org for more information

March 15th – Washington, DC – The Path to Pascha Concert
visit www.iocc.org/dc for more information

To learn about other upcoming events, visit www.iocc.org/events for further details.

March Parish Bulletin Announcements
The spiritual discipline of Orthodox Christians during Great Lent involves not only prayer and fasting but also almsgiving. Promote giving to IOCC as a way to do almsgiving during Lent. Put an announcement in your parish bulletin or newsletter.

GENERAL BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT

Helping the poor is a calling for Orthodox Christians and the season of Great Lent puts a special emphasis on charity through almsgiving. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) offers hurting people a hand up. We deliver food, clothing, hope and economic self-sufficiency by providing tools for people to work their way out of man-made and natural disasters with dignity. This Lent, please consider a gift to IOCC, your Orthodox humanitarian aid agency, as a way for effective almsgiving. Call IOCC toll-free at 1-877-803-4622, send a check or give with confidence online at www.iocc.org.

Take advantage of the Chairman’s Challenge this month! Right now, for every dollar you contribute in response to this challenge, IOCC’s board members will personally match your gift, up to a total of $250,000. With your response, and others like you, we have the opportunity to raise $500,000 and change thousands of lives. And, remember, on average for every $1 we have been able to raise from private funders like yourself we leverage almost $7 in government and other grants!

The Chairman’s Challenge began nearly a decade ago to ensure that thousands more people could be helped through IOCC, and that together as Orthodox Christians, we can respond to Christ’s call to serve the least of our brethren.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC

A couple stands amid the ruins of their house in Kinglake, a town of Victoria, Australia, in the aftermath of the worst wildfires in the country’s history. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is assessing the situation and will assist the Orthodox churches in Australia to mobilize a response. (photo credit: Luis Ascui/Getty Images)

The worst wildfires in Australia’s history have caused 181 confirmed deaths and left hundreds of people homeless. More than 900 houses were destroyed and some 7,000 people have requested assistance from humanitarian agencies. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is issuing an emergency appeal and has released initial funds to assess the situation and assist the Orthodox churches in Australia to mobilize a response. Help IOCC speed relief to communities devastated by the worst fires in Australia’s history. Visit www.iocc.org, call IOCC toll free at 1-877-803-4622, or mail a check or money order payable to “IOCC” and write “Australia Relief” in the memo line to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.

The deadliest conflict in Gaza in four decades has killed 1,300, wounded 5,300, and displaced more than 26,000. IOCC’s Jerusalem-based staff responded quickly to the crisis, coordinating efforts with local organizations and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem to deliver fortified biscuits and milk to 23,000 children and adults residing in shelters and affected communities throughout Gaza. IOCC also assisted beleaguered hospitals and shelters by providing thousands of quilts and hygiene kits. Help IOCC speed relief to families who have been caught in this conflict. Visit www.iocc.org, call IOCC toll free at 1-877-803-4622, or mail a check or money order payable to “IOCC” and write “Middle East Relief” in the memo line to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.

MARCH VOLUNTEER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gulf Coast: Spaces are running out to volunteer in the Gulf Coast. If you are interested in participating, please visit www.iocc.org/gulfcoast. This year the cost is only $500 which pays for your room, board and airfare. Teams are going to Louisiana from March-July, 2009. Encourage your parish to take advantage of this life-changing opportunity!

Since there is an increase in the number of church services during Lent, talk with your priest about delivering an IOCC presentation one night during the week. Speeches and materials are available and can be requested by calling at 1-877-803-4622 or e-mailing relief@iocc.org.

Help IOCC in these tough economic times. Ask your priest for an available date to host an event, such as a wine tasting, concert or dinner. For more information, please contact Vasi Jankovich, vjankovich@iocc.org or 1-877-803-4622.

MARCH VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH —
Nick Terezis, Chairman of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Committee

“You have to be willing to hear, ‘no’, dozens of times before you hear yes ... nothing that is really good ever comes easy.” Nick Terezis had been the Chairman of the IOCC Pittsburgh Metropolitan Committee for 6 years. Though Nick has a full-time job and a family, he has made time to plan several events for IOCC each year for the past 10 years. While living in New York, Nick planned between 8-10 events each year.

When Nick moved to Pittsburgh and learned a metropolitan committee did not exist, he knew he had to get one going right away. Nick contacted all 125 parishes in the Pittsburgh area and started the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Committee. Each year, the Pittsburgh committee hosts a minimum of 4 events, i.e., One-In- Spirit Dinner, Theophany Ball, Wine Tasting and a special themed event.

Nick is full of good ideas and knows how to execute them in an efficient and effective way. When telling me about the committee, Nick said: “It’s an honor to help people do their best to do God’s work. The Pittsburgh committee is full of such good people and good stewards. IOCC is still a secret to many, but if I can help get the word out a little faster, that is a good thing!”

To read more about Nick and learn some great tips, please visit: www.iocc.org/faithinaction!

MARCH YOUTH INVOLVEMENT — SOUPER BOWL

Thank you to the many churches who participated in Souper Bowl Sunday! With your help, IOCC was able to raise over $20,000!