IOCC Volunteer Update | August 2018

IOCC Volunteer Update | August 2018

August 30, 2018

Race with Team IOCC

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us …” (Heb. 12:1)

As temperatures drop and marathons and 5Ks take place around the country, join TEAM IOCC to make your miles matter! Come run with us in one of the cities below, or create TEAM IOCC in your own hometown, to help families around the world.

September is National Preparedness Month

It’s nearly a year later, and many of those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria are still working to recover and rebuild. IOCC is urging our supporters to take time ahead of National Preparedness Month to begin planning what you’ll do before, during, and after the next national disaster.

  • Use this template to create your Family Communication Plan ahead of time.
  • Use this checklist to put together an emergency supply kit. Don’t forget to include food and medical supplies, and to consider your furry friends!
  • Be sure to share these emergency preparedness tips on Facebook!

Serv-X-Treme Recap

Serv-X-treme is IOCC’s annual youth leadership conference designed to provide Orthodox youth with a deeper understanding of service/diakonia/philanthropy and hands-on service opportunities. Our 2018 Serv-X-Treme Conference just wrapped up at the end of July, and here is what one participant had to say:

“I loved the atmosphere provided by this camp—it truly allowed me to reflect and think deeply about my relationship with God and how to improve that.”

Keep checking back for more information about the 2019 Serv-X-treme Conference! Read more here.

Back to School? Consider a Kids’ Penny War!

Looking for a way to get little ones involved with charitable giving? A penny war is the perfect activity for elementary schoolers. Plan a kick-off assembly, split classes into teams to create some friendly competition, and encourage students to bring their spare change. At the end of your penny war, hold a kit drive—or simply announce the winners and award prizes! Contact an Outreach Coordinator at 410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org to plan yours today.

Did You Know …?

Extreme weather across Serbia in June, including hailstorms and torrential rains, caused flooding and landslides across seven districts, leading authorities to declare a state of emergency in some areas. Households in rural areas have seen extensive destruction to both their homes and crops, while on a larger scale public infrastructure has also been damaged. To help address immediate needs, IOCC is working with the Serbian Red Cross and the Serbian Orthodox Church parish of Petrovac na Mlavi to provide hygiene items and clean-up supplies to 300 affected families in five municipalities. Read more here.

IOCC Awareness Events

Denver, CO

IOCC supporters in Denver gathered once again at St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church on Saturday, August 25 for their annual Pan-Orthodox 5K Run/Walk. This year’s walk supported IOCC’s work with partner the St. Nektarios Education Fund, building schools in Uganda. The pan-Orthodox event brought together more than 100 people and several clergy from local Orthodox churches. The race was followed by the Blessing of the Five Loaves, plus a wonderful meal and fellowship. IOCC Gift Officer Nick Kasemeotes spoke about IOCC’s work around the world, and IOCC board member Dn. Paul Zaharas provided a short update about IOCC’s collaboration with the St. Nektarios Education Fund. Many thanks to board member Elaine Cladis, Omar Rihani, Annmarie Neal, and everyone who worked so hard to make this awesome event possible!

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.

IOCC is Hiring

Bring your expertise to an organization making a difference around the world and join our team in the following position. Know someone who would be a perfect fit? Please pass this info along to them! For full job descriptions and application instructions, visit iocc.org/careers.

HQ Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Officer.