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IOCC Volunteer Update – April 2009
For forgiveness of sins is most efficaciously prayed for with almsgiving and fasting, and supplications that are winged by such aids mount swiftly to GOD’S ears: since as it is written, “the merciful man doeth good to his own soul” (Prov.11:17), and nothing is so much a man’s own as that which he spends on his neighbor. — St. Leo the Great
Great Lent: 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. The following language is offered as a suggestion:
April Bulletin Announcements
- GREAT LENT: 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. IOCC delivers 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.
- LEBANON: IOCC recently held “Children’s Day” in Beirut for more than 300 public school students from throughout Lebanon. Students participated in a number of activities including art lessons, talent shows, puppet shows, and theatrical productions. Older students were also instructed in how to organize events to bring about awareness of good citizenship. Public school students in Lebanon often come from low-income households and their schools lack funding to provide extracurricular activities that can deepen their educational experience. The Children’s Day is part of IOCC’s $4.7 million program, funded by the U.S. government, to improve the learning environment and academic performance of students in 213 Lebanese public schools. Call IOCC toll-free at 1-877-803-4622, send a check or give with confidence online at www.iocc.org.
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National Volunteer Week is April 19-25: Thank you for choosing to be an IOCC volunteer. Without you, IOCC could not feed the hungry, clothe the naked or assist victims of natural and man-made disasters. Please continue to help spread the word on IOCC. We currently have 1.6% of Orthodox Christians in the United States on our mailing list.
Help us reach 2% of the Orthodox community this year! Send us stories and or bullet points of what you are doing in your home, parish and metropolitan area to spread the word of IOCC. The top 5 stories/tips will be posted in the June volunteer e-mail, on our website, Facebook, OrthodoXCircle and My Space. Please submit all stories to vjankovich@iocc.org and write VOLUNTEER STORY in the subject.
 Gulf Coast: The Volunteer in the Gulf Coast Project will continue through July 26, 2009. Everyone 16 and older is welcome to volunteer for a week at a time! The total cost per team member is $500, which pays for your airfare, room and board for the week. Please encourage anyone interested in participating to register at www.iocc.org/gulfcoast. Please remember we need a minimum of one month’s notice to take care of the details.
IOCC in YOUR AREA: 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 emailing Vasi Jankovich, vjankovich@iocc.org, or calling 1-877-803-4622 (IOCC).
EVENTS: Thank you to those of you who have already set dates for your 2009 event(s). Please check out www.iocc.org/events to see an updated list of events going on throughout the country to raise awareness and funds for IOCC. Ask your priest for an available date to host a coffee hour, wine tasting, concert or dinner. For more information, please contact Vasi Jankovich, vjankovich@iocc.org or 1-877-803-IOCC.
IOCC MATERIALS: Save IOCC money by printing IOCC materials off www.iocc.org/materials. You can download posters, newsletters, and much more!
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