Elections of New Officers

President:  Viki Gagliardo

V. President:  Helen Papas

Treasurer:  Dottie Karras

Secretary:  Pat Trahanas

Good Luck to all in their new positions,  continued success in our philanthropic duties

What is Philoptochos?

The Ladies Philoptochos Society is the official philanthropic organization of the Church. The word “philoptochos” comes from the Greek words philos, which means friend, and ptochos, which means poor/needy.  This organization functions on three levels:

1. The Philoptochos Chapter of our Parish
2. The Diocesan Board of the Diocese
3. The National Board

Locally our Chapter actively participates in various projects that include:

1. Presenting scholarships to deserving students
2. Presenting bonds to our high school graduates
3. Supporting the Orthodox College Campus Report
4. Giving Easter baskets and Christmas gifts to our young children
5. Annual contributions to our Church
6. Donating money to our local community projects such as:  

• Berkshire Carousel Project
• War Memorial Restoration Fund
• Alzheimer’s Fund
• Boys and Girls Club
• Special Olympics
• BCAC
• Red Cross, and many more

Nationally our Chapter donates money to the following organizations:

• The Saint Basil’s Academy (collected at the cutting of the Vasilopita )
• The Cardiac Fund
• The Hellenic College (Holy Cross)
• The Hellenic College (Scholarship Program)
• The Cancer Fund
• Ecumenical Patriarchate (benefiting its programs and charities)
• UNICEF (benefiting the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund
• In 1989, the National Philoptochos Society established the Children’s Medical Fund to provide medical care for Greek and Greek-American children with life-threatening illness.
• Greek Autism Project (Asheville, NC)

For our Diocese, the Philoptochos helps support the Philoxenia House, the main project of the Diocese. This home houses patients and their families who have traveled from other parts of the United States and Greece to the Boston area in order to receive medical care.

We are also beginning a joint project with the Metropolis of Boston

and the Philoptochos Society is preparing house-warming gifts for

homeless veterans. Items they would welcome are: broom/dustpan,

bucket, shower curtain, dishpan, dishcloth, soap, toilet paper sponges,

all purpose cleaner, toothpaste, trash container bags, inflatable bed

with air pump, pillow cases, sheets for twin beds, blankets, silverware

for four, set of cooking utensils, coffee maker, set of pots and pans,

manual can opened, laundry detergent, paper towels and more.

Donations can be dropped off in the Church hall.

Philoptochos pending projects:

TV to be purchased

An estimate to paint the downstairs hall

Church sign outside on building to be replaced

Cabinet- for storage and TV

Sunday School – Movie of their choice

If anyone is interested in joining Philoptochos or being an

officer please see Viki