Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen!

We wish all of our IOCC family great hope and joy in the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

DIY for IOCC: We Need You

Do you have a wedding, baptism, or birthday coming up this summer? If you’d like to support IOCC with your special day, consider starting a personal fundraising page through IOCC’s website! Connect your family and friends with the work IOCC does and collect donations in support of IOCC programs around the world. Check it out atsupport.iocc.org/DIY, or email outreach@iocc.org to get started—and thank you!

Metro Committees & Volunteers: Keep in Touch

If an important life event happens to someone on your committee, such as a baptism, marriage, or death, please let us know. Call us at 410.243.9820, or emailoutreach@iocc.org—IOCC wants to be able to recognize these important moments with you. And thank you in advance!

Volunteers Needed in the US!

The seventh annual IOCC/OCF Real Break just took place March 12–17 in the New Orleans area. Ten college students from across the US and four adults worked repairing and building homes throughout the week. The group also spent time learning about the area and how it has been affected by disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, and attended Lenten services at local Orthodox parishes.

Want to get involved with a trip of your own? We need volunteers to help with critical home repairs and builds! Several opportunities are now available for the upcoming summer:

• June 11-16 in Houston, TX
• July 16-21 in Houston, TX
• July 23-28 in Houston, TX
• August 13-18 in Houston, TX

To register or learn more, visit iocc.org/homebuild. To read more about our long-term response after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, made possible by your support, click here.

Did You Know …?

In many parts of the US, spring has finally come! During last year’s warm season, from April to December 2017, with a grant from IOCC, Diakonia Agapes (the social, development, and relief office of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania) helped train and grow the production capacity of women farmers in Shpati, Albania. These members of a women’s beekeeping association are experienced in beekeeping, one of the area’s traditional economic activities. Project participants attended trainings in entrepreneurship, farm-business management, and advertising/public relations. In addition, the project purchased beekeeping equipment to ease beeswax production and help prepare bee bread. The machinery will help produce food for the bees while ensuring a better-quality product that can compete with commercial versions.

Read more ways you make an impact on IOCC’s blog.

IOCC in the News

• ReliefWeb reported on IOCC’s work implementing services for those with disabilities in Jordan’s Azraq refugee camp, as well as its efforts to train 10 refugees in the camp in health education. Hellenic News of America also picked up the press release.
• The Paterikos blog mentioned the productive IOCC/Apostoli partnership (in Greek).
• IOCC Partner DKH highlighted IOCC Lebanon’s community kitchens (in German).

IOCC Awareness Events

Organizing an IOCC event in your parish or community? IOCC Outreach is here to help you plan and publicize! To get your local IOCC event on the calendar, contact us at outreach@iocc.org.

Virginia Beach, VA

More than 70 participants came down to the Virginia Beach oceanfront for the fourth annual 5K Walk for IOCC, hosted by Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral on April 21. Several local Orthodox parishes gathered to walk on the cool spring morning and afterward enjoyed fellowship and bagels on the Fishbones Restaurant patio. Event chair Maria Herring addressed the group and spoke about why IOCC’s mission is so important to her, and IOCC Manager of Outreach Christina Meares offered a brief update on IOCC’s programs in Greece and Uganda. Fr. George Bessinas offered a benediction and welcomed brother clergy Fr. Milton Gianulis and Fr. George Chioros. Thank you to Maria Herring and the entire Annunciation community for this great morning for IOCC!

Boston, MA

On April 22, IOCC supporters from the Boston area gathered for the third annual All That Jazz: A Musical Reception to Benefit IOCC. The jazz night, which took place at the Maliotis Cultural Center at Hellenic College Holy Cross, featured siblings Fr. Gregory Floor and Emilee Floor, both professional musicians, for a rare duet! Guests enjoyed a wine reception and hors d’oeuvres while catching up with friends and were treated to classic jazz selections. IOCC Development Officer Lou Zagami shared his experiences as a Frontliner who recently deployed to the Houston area, reminding those in attendance what a difference their support makes to those in need. Thanks to Fr. Gregory Floor, Emilee Floor, and the Maliotis Cultural Center for graciously donating their time and space!

Chicago, IL

At Café la Cave in Des Plaines, the IOCC Chicago Metropolitan Committee held its 26th Annual Grand Banquet & Silent Auction on April 26. More than 300 guests attended from across all Orthodox jurisdictions, along with past and present IOCC board members, staffers, and IOCC Frontliners. Several hierarchs attended, including His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, the Liaison Bishop to IOCC for the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the US; His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Metropolis of Chicago; His Grace Bishop Ilia, Albanian Orthodox Diocese in America; and His Grace Bishop Paul, Orthodox Church in America, Diocese of Chicago and the Midwest. IOCC Executive Director and CEO Constantine Triantafilou introduced the newly elected Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, who then offered the keynote speech, touching on the importance of IOCC as a pan-Orthodox institution in the US. The program also included remarks from Chicago committee chair Bill J. Vranas, event chair Maria Loukaki, and the evening’s emcee, Fr. Malek Rihani. During dinner, two IOCC Frontliners shared some experiences they’ve had responding to disasters like Hurricane Harvey and the California mudslides. IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes also shared a story about meeting families displaced by the Syrian crisis in Jordan. Throughout the night, guests enjoyed the silent auction, which featured beautiful icons, jewelry, and baseball tickets generously donated by local supporters. Many thanks to the hierarchs and local clergy for their warm support, to Chicago committee chair Bill J. Vranas, event chair Maria Loukaki, and the entire committee, as well as to all the volunteers who played a role in making this celebration possible.

Volunteers in Action

Let us know about your kit drives and IOCC presentations – email images and brief write-ups to outreach@iocc.org so we can feature them here. And thank you!

Rye, NY

Thank you to the young people of the Greek Orthodox Church of Our Saviour, who assembled school kits during their Good Friday retreat. With the blessing of Fr. Elias Villis, they made about 120 kits for other children in need! Thank you for your great service and thanks to Laurence Maalouf for coordinating!

Upcoming Events

Interested in planning your own event to raise awareness about IOCC? Get one on the calendar today! We’d love to send a speaker to your parish or event, so please contact us at 410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org. Thank you for bringing IOCC to your community!

Check for updates at iocc.org/events.

• May 5-6: Pittsburgh, PA — Team IOCC at the Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend
• May 19: South Bend, IN — IOCC 5K Walk/Run
• May 29: Pittsburgh, PA — Pan-Orthodox Singles Gathering
• June 2: Pawtucket, RI — Pan-Orthodox Vespers and Dinner for IOCC
• June 3: Cleveland, OH — IOCC Annual Banquet
• June 24: Hunt Valley, MD — IOCC Falafel Lunch
• August 25: Denver, CO — Pan-Orthodox 5K Run/Walk
• October 20: Baltimore, MD — TEAM IOCC at the Baltimore Running Festival
• October 27: Charlotte, NC — Annual IOCC Benefit
• October 28: Philadelphia, PA — Annual Benefit Banquet
• November 25: Albuquerque, NM — IOCC Sunday Coffee Hour