Philanthropy at St. Andrew - October 2020

2nd annual Wishing Tree / Holiday Giving Project-  In order to minimize touch points during the pandemic, we will NOT have an actual Christmas tree with labeled ornaments this year, but we will simply conduct a collection for items needed by the South Bend YWCA. This organization provides programs and shelter to help and empower at-risk women and their children. The items they need are as follows: deodorant, diapers (all sizes) pillows (for sleeping), feminine hygiene products, toothpaste and toothbrushes for children and adults. If you wish to participate in this holiday giving project, please bring these items to church and place them in the bins to be located in the foyer. We are accepting new items in their original packaging for safety and sanitation reasons. Thank you to Kathy Verhamme for organizing this project. Collections will begin this Sunday and end November 29. Thank you in advance for your participation. 

Transportation to church "for one of our own" - Thank you to those who have made donations toward the fund to help our fellow parishioner pay for Uber or Lyft rides to church (as he is wheelchair bound). We implore others to show compassion and offer any assistance they can. Some thoughts: If we had 25 parishioners offer to drive him, they would have to do it only 2 times per year. 52 volunteers would only have to do it once a year. Or the same count can donate for one or two round-trips per year ($36 per round-trip to church with Uber or Lyft). Or you can volunteer for just one leg of the trip.  If more become involved the easier the task becomes.  Per Matthew 25:40 - “Truly I say to you, as you did to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me” - Jesus Christ

Masks to Real Services - This week we will be donating 56 masks to REAL Services in South Bend. This organization provides programs that promote nutrition, self-sufficiency, education and protection for 30,000 at-risk people in northern Indiana. Many thanks to Terri Stavros who is sewing  more masks for Philoptochos  - so far she has sewn 165 masks for this project! To date, we have donated close to 300 masks to first-responders and those who help those in need within our local community.  

Philoptochos tab on church website: We have updated the Philoptochos tab on the church website to reflect specific work of our chapter. Please follow the below link to view its contents which will be periodically updated with new data. Thank you Mary Beth Zachariades for making this happen for our group. 

http://saintandrewgoc.org/philoptochos

And remember - All philanthropic work is presented on behalf of Saint Andrew, not Philoptochos. THANK YOU for all you do to support our church’s philanthropic ministry. 

Philotoptochos Philanthropy Update - June 2020

We’d like to update you on the works of our local Philoptochos chapter, while also sharing the official newsletter of the parent organization, attached below (Philanthropy Witness). This newsletter will make you aware of the far reaching philanthropic efforts of the Greek Orthodox Church through the efforts of Philoptochos (the largest christian women’s charity in the US). 

Although our local chapter’s ability to execute fundraisers was severely curtailed by Covid-19 (as were the plans of all chapters across the country), we have still been active with humanitarian work benefiting our local community, while also keeping current with our national commitments. Below is a summary of our work over the past few months: 

Karl King Tower donation - We donated $100 to the Karl King Tower on Lincolway Dr.  (low income housing) at a time when it became apparent that the residents needed food, as they were severely impacted by the work restrictions associated with the pandemic, and the Food Bank was not able to deliver food to them during that particular time. 

Donation to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana - Through a GoFundMe drive, we raised $1,103.80 which has already been received by our local food bank. As you know, many more people have depended on food banks since the start of the pandemic as they lost jobs, or were temporarily furloughed as part of the stay-at-home executive orders. 

Donation to the national Philoptochos Covid-19 fund - $200

Making Masks - Thank you to everyone that has engaged with us to help make cloth masks for non-responders in our local community within the hospital, police and fire fighting communities, grocery store workers and parishioners that may need them. The project is in progress, with a combination of purchasing fabric and elastic with parishioner donated funds ($740 to date) and having a seamstress make the masks, asking that we only provide the materials. In addition, Terry Stavros and Alexis Fernandes are also sewing masks for us. If you are a parishioner in need of a mask, please contact the church office or email Philoptochos.sb@gmail.com. Our plan is to make at least 200 masks to distribute to Saint Joe and Memorial Hospitals, the police and fire departments that service Saint Andrew, and to our parishioners who need masks. 

National and Metropolis commitments: 

Bishop’s Welfare Fund - $50

Orthodox Christian Missions - $50

Support a mission priest - $50

Hellenic College Holy Cross - $50

Saint Basil Academy-Sisterhood Fund - $50 

International Orthodox Christian Charities - $50

75th Anniversary Founder’s Fund - $50

Orthodox Christian Fellowship - $50

Metropolis Philanthropy Fund - $100 (This fund is very critical as it can help our own parishioners who have a financial need)

Membership fee to National Philoptochos - $420 

Membership fee to Metropolis Philoptochos - $146

(Our plan was to give minimum donations of $100 to all our commitments, but the pandemic’s impact on our ability to execute fundraisers hindered that plan, hence the numerous $50 donations.)

In closing, thank you to all who support the Saint Andrew philanthropic efforts through the work of Philoptochos. Our intent is to be very transparent with where your donated dollars are going. If you have any questions, please let me know. (Philoptochos.sb@gmail.com ). 

Happy summer to all of you! 

Spyro Terezis on behalf of Saint Andrew Philoptochos 

Philanthropy at St. Andrew - February

We will start sharing with you what charities we are supporting each month, as part of our commitment to National Philoptochos initiatives. The dollar amount after each description is our contribution on behalf of Saint Andrew. 

January

Saint Basil Academy: the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese home for children in need. The Academy provides a loving Christian environment where resident children are nurtured to adulthood. The Vasilopita commitment provides funding for the Academy’s operating expenses. $502

Social Services Department of Philoptochos: provides outreach, support and financial assistance to those in need.  $350

Cancer and Other Major Illnesses Fund:  provides financial support to people undergoing treatment for cancer and other critical illnesses.  $250

February 

Autism Assistance Fund: provides assistance and support to persons within the Autism spectrum and promotes education to heighten Autism awareness.    $100

Saint Photios Shrine: a living memorial to the first colony of Greek settlers, 400 in all, who came to the New World in 1768. The Shrine honors and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the first colony of Greeks and all the settlers who followed.  $100

Spring Bake Sale PLUS: The spring Philoptochos fundraiser is scheduled for April 3-4 and is open to the parish and the local community. This year we are expanding these events to include vendors and sales of Chris Kurtis’ famous pastichio for $25 per pan. It will be partially cooked, and will just need some  final baking prior to enjoyment. We will also offer all the favorite Greek pastries we’ve offered at past events.  

Saint Margaret’s House Winter Walk Fundraiser 

We’d like to let you know of the following annual event benefiting one of our local shelters for women and children. If you’re interested in participating on behalf of Saint Andrew, please contact Mary Jo Tirikos at mjtirikos@msn.com

Winter Walk is a fundraising walk to support the work of St. Margaret’s House. Scheduled in the middle of the winter, the community joins together for a one mile walk in solidarity with the women and children of St. Margaret’s House whose everyday means of transportation is their feet. Regardless of the weather – sun, rain, snow or sleet.Proceeds from Winter Walk will enable St. Margaret’s House to continue to be a haven of hospitality and provide life changing support, programs and services for women and children in need in our community. Join us Sunday, February 16th @ 2:30pm!Registration starts @ 1:30pm with a short rally just before the walk begins at the County City Building in downtown South Bend.  Plan on hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn at St. Margaret's House following the walk!

Metropolis Choir Federation Conference - September 25, 26, 27

Dear Saint Andrew Friends, 

As I’ve previously communicated, Saint Andrew is hosting the 63rd annual Conference of the Metropolis Federation of Church Musicians during the weekend of Sep 25-27. 

Key points and help requests: 

1) Aside from this being an amazing opportunity for our parish to enter the mainstream of Metropolis life, IT IS ALSO A FUNDRAISER for both our church and the Choir Federation. The profits are split 50:50 between our two entities. Since we struggle to raise enough funds through stewardship pledges alone, we should whole-heartedly and without fail support ALL fundraising opportunities 110%. So think church income AND amazing times - and HELP!

2) As with the festival (June 12-14), please put this event in your planning calendars (Sep 25-27). We will have in excess of 100 people to host over the 3 days. We will need many hands on deck to manage and execute the myriad of details involved with an event like this. 

3) We will be hosting 2 fancy dinners on Friday and Saturday featuring professional and quality entertainment. Our entire parish is invited, as well as your friends and relatives. All the details are documented in the attached packet, so please review for familiarization. 

4) Lastly, please kick in with your stewardship mindset and volunteer to help with planning and execution. Text or call me at 574-404-1184 or email at corfu1000@gmail.com with your help offer. 

Very excited to be involved with this unique opportunity for our parish, and thank you kindly for your help!

Regards, 

Spyro Terezis 

St. Andrew Hosting Choir Conference 2020

We are very happy to announce that Saint Andrew is hosting the annual conference of The Greek Orthodox Federation of Church Musicians, on Sep 25-27, 2020. The group will conduct rehearsals and workshops over the 3 days, and will participate in Divine Liturgy on 9/27. Dinners will be hosted on Friday and Saturday nights and will be open to the parish. We expect approximately 80 conference participants for this event, from all the Metropolis parishes. Thank you in advance to all church ministries and groups who help execute this event. It’s the federation’s main fundraiser, and profit is split 50/50 with the host parish (in this case Saint Andrew). We are delighted for the opportunity to host the Metropolis choir musicians. 

Philanthrophy at St. Andrew

Metropolis Philanthropy Fund : We are ecstatic to report that one of our parishioners has received $4,200 in financial assistance from the Metropolis Philanthropy Fund - one of the metropolis philanthropic projects that our chapter supports annually. This fund is available to Orthodox Christians who are enduring a life crisis and need help with unexpected and overwhelming expenses.

Outreach to the Elderly - We greatly appreciate the response to our first annual Wishing Tree, this year to benefit Wellbrooke Assisted living in South Bend. We have collected a good number of lotion, slippers, fuzzy socks and lap blankets which we will deliver to the facility this month. Last day for donations is Sunday, December 8.

Parish Christmas Card - Thank you to those who participated in the Parish Christmas Card project. Your contribution is both sending holiday wishes to your church family AND supporting Saint Andrew’s philanthropic efforts.

“Feed the Hungry” Drive - Last day to submit names for the holiday food drive is this Sunday, Dec 8. We will distribute the Meijer gift cards, prior to Christmas. Thank you for making the holidays a little bit better for those who need it. This annual project is a collaboration between Philoptochos and the Sunday School.

Christmas Bake Sale - Scheduled for Dec 20-21 and open to the parish and the greater community. Santa Claus will be in the house on Saturday 10-2, and Greek jewelry will be available for sale. This is one of the major Philoptochos fundraisers.

Philoptochos Pastry Sale - December 20 and 21

Hello Saint Andrew Family,

The Saint Andrew Philoptochos Group is hosting it’s Christmas Greek Pastry Sale on Dec 20 - 21, 9-3 pm each day. In the spirit of continuous improvement and new this year, Santa Claus will also be visiting on Saturday, 10-2, and we will also have Greek jewelry for sale (the same popular pieces we feature at the festival, which make great holiday gifts!)

This is one of the 2 main Philoptochos fundraisers, which support the growing philanthropic efforts of Saint Andrew, both within our parish and the greater community. Please help us advertise this event by sharing the flyer and the order form, and telling everyone you know to stop in for all their holiday baking needs. If you’d like to pre-order instead of shopping at the event, please order online at bit.ly/StAndrewsBakeSale