Promoting Literacy through Love National Philoptochos Banquet Benefits Children in Need

The highlight of the 2008 National Philoptochos Biennial Convention in Washington, D.C., was the Convention Banquet on Monday night that featured speakers and programs making a difference for children and adults through literacy and love.

The program opened with the singing of the National Anthems by National Board member, Diane Tseckares of Baltimore, Maryland. The Honorable Barbara Spyridon Pope, Former Assistant Secretary of State and the U.S. Navy served as Toastmistress and with her charm and wit guided the guests through a program filled with inspiring testimony about the philanthropic initiatives promoted by Philoptochos. 

National Philoptochos President Georgia Skeadas introduced the National Philoptochos Literacy Outreach Program which promotes literacy for children and adults with goals that encourage motivation, success and enjoyment of reading in school age children. The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Philoptochos in Baltimore, Maryland's Literacy Outreach Project that involved the entire parish community in building a school library at the George Washington Elementary School was featured in a video. President Skeadas thanked the Banquet Chairs Barbara Pasalis and Crystal Thomas and their entire committee for creating such an inspirational program focused on the theme of Literacy and Love.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios presented the AGAPE award to nine exceptional Philoptochos members from the Direct Archdiocesan District and the eight Metropolises in the Archdiocese.  The AGAPE award representing All Generations Accomplishing Philanthropic Endeavors was established to honor nine extraordinary women who have had a profound impact on their Chapters and who embody and exemplify the true spirit of Philanthropia.  The 2008 honorees are Marina Katsoulis, Direct Archdiocesan District; Despina M. Bellos, Metropolis of Chicago; Rosemary Nikas, Metropolis of Pittsburgh; Ellen Mahelares, Metropolis of Boston; Peggy Belbas, Metropolis of Denver; Sandy Bouzon, Metropolis of Atlanta; Mary Bisbecos, Metropolis of Detroit; Catherine Caldes, Metropolis of San Francisco, and Avi Kiriakatis, Metropolis of New Jersey.

His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain offered special greetings and presented His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew's message to the audience. 

Keynote speaker Genevieve Piturro, Founder and Executive Director of the Pajama Program, reflected on her experience when she learned of the number of forgotten children in the United States and around the world who are waiting to be adopted. These youngsters have no one to read them a bedtime story, no pajamas to sleep in and no one to tuck them into a cozy bed at night. This experience inspired her to establish the Pajama Program and since its founding in 2001, more than 70 Pajama Program Chapters have been established throughout the United States providing new pajamas and new books to children.  The Pajama Program has sent pajamas to needy children in countries around the world including Armenia, Bosnia, Brazil, Columbia and Greece. 

In 2005 the program established the first of three Reading Centers in Westchester County, NY to provide a safe haven for children to read or to be read to and to receive a new pair of warm pajamas and a book to keep.  Since 2001 the Pajama Program has provided more than 210,000 pairs of pajamas and 110,000 books to children in need. 

President Skeadas announced that the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society is joining with the Pajama Program as Partners in Love Benefiting Children in Need and presented Ms. Piturro with a $25,000 donation for the Pajama Program.  The banquet centerpieces consisting of books and school supplies and warm pajamas donated by the nearly 400 delegates attending the convention will be presented to schools in the Metropolitan Washington D.C. area and to the Pajama Program.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios in his remarks referred to Philoptochos as "a movement" and recognized the National Philoptochos for its many philanthropic activities and programs. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios presented the Medal of St. Paul, the highest honor of the Archdiocese bestowed on a layman, to National Philoptochos President Georgia Skeadas and thanked her for her six years of leadership as National President.