June/July/August 2024 Newsletter

Dear Reverend Fathers, Sisters, and Friends,

Philoptochos was busy and successful this spring with the Greek Independence Day Luncheon Fundraiser, Easter Outreach, preparing meals for Life Bridge of Salem, MA, and Citizens Inn Haven from Hunger of Peabody MA, serving at the “Bright Tuesday” luncheon for Metropolitan Methodios of Boston (GOA), Bishop John of Worcester & NE (AOC), Bishop Anthony Vrame (GOA) and the clergy of the Metropolis, and our year end celebration luncheon.

Our Philoptochos Athena fundraisers provided donations to the St. Vasilios Church (PIN) Parishioners in Need fund, helped purchase a chandelier in the choir loft, supported the YOCAMA Mission Trip, and sponsored the National Philoptochos Medical and Biennial Conventions as well as our monthly obligations to the National Philoptochos Society and Metropolis Philoptochos Society. Our monies go a long way!

This year at meetings we were able to bring in many talented individuals to enlighten and educate us with crafts, Kosmos project details, Heart Health information, AED (Defibrillator) and CPR demonstrations, and wonderful fundraising ideas from Amy Fragules. We pack a lot into our meetings, and we get a lot out of them!

The end of the year luncheon will be held on June 23, 2024, in the Rev. Andrew J. Demotses Educational Center at St. Vasilios. Enjoy a surf and turf luncheon with Greek music, awards, and a raffle. Thank you everyone for organizing this event.

The International Festival of Peabody is being held on Sunday, September 15, 2024, downtown from 11 AM to 5 PM. Enjoy the all-day event with food, music, entertainment, and crafts. Support your local friends and family while enjoying this glorious day out! The Philoptochos preparations for our booth at this event will be in August. Look for the Emails!

Please remember that all our meetings are open to all. We welcome everyone!

Join the Philoptochos Athena; the membership is only $35. This money helps provide for the less fortunate, the sick, victims of disasters through its National and Metropolis boards just to name a few. We get together to plan, to learn, to share, to cook and to enjoy our time with our Philoptochos family. We believe in this past down words:    "Many Hands Make Light Work.”

Be a part of this group.
God Bless!
With love to all,
Stacey
Stacey Yavorski, President
St. Vasilios Philoptochos Athena
syavo23@yahoo.com   508-451-9906

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Philoptochos Workshops

2023-2025

 

Executive Board

  1. Stacey Yavorski – President
  2. Paula MacDonald – 1st Vice President
  3. Chrissy Votto – 2nd Vice President
  4. Bonnie Antoniou – Corresponding Secretary
  5. Sandy Ruggeri – Recording Co-Secretary
  6. Bessie Silva – Recording Co-Secretary
  7. Tracey Franggos – Treasurer
  8. Elaine Zetes – Assistant Treasurer
  9. Evelyn Limberakis Rockas  – Advisor

Board Members

  1. Theodora Christopher – Board Member
  2. Fran Diamantopoulos – Board Member
  3. Kathy Mpelkas – Board Member
  4. Debbie Pantazelos – Board Member
  5. Helen Papadopoulos – Board Member
  6. Heidi Pappas – Board Member

Mission Statement

The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that has offered 89 years of philanthropy through a multitude of programs that make a difference in the lives of people in the United States and throughout the world.  The Society was established in November 1931, by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I, who was then serving as Archbishop of North and South America.

Philoptochos fulfills its mission to “help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, those with disabilities and the victims of disasters through its National and Metropolis Boards and its 26,000 members and more than 400 active chapters, nationwide.  Philoptochos responds immediately to needs and crises and its philanthropic outreach extends to each area of the country and throughout the world. In 2016, National Philoptochos distributed $2.06 million in philanthropic aid.

Since the late 1950’s, upon the recommendation of Archbishop Iakovos, Philoptochos has placed an increased emphasis on the implementation of important programs to benefit the Greek Orthodox community, including, but not limited to, institutions of the Church, the philanthropies of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and assistance to Greek and Greek Orthodox families. Involvement in social and moral issues encouraged the establishment of several committees to address topics such as child abuse prevention, domestic violence, homelessness, pornography, drug and alcohol abuse, and aging.

Since 1987, the National Philoptochos office has employed a professional Social Worker, engaged in assisting the Greek Orthodox community in the United States as well as Greek and Cypriot nationals. The Department of Social Services is a very important, vital element of our organization. The mission of the Department is to improve the quality of life of those in need, in a way that maintains the dignity and self-respect of the individuals. Through confidential and professional services, the office provides outreach, education, information, support, intervention, motivation, advocacy, financial assistance and referral to local and broader resources.


The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc., is the duly accredited women’s philanthropic society of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The mission of the Society shall be:

  • To help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through fund raising efforts; and
  • To promote the charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources;
  • To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usages and customs;
  • To promote participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community, with the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council.

The charitable work of the Society shall be performed with discretion, courtesy and kindness.

 

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