Adopt A Family Project

National Philoptochos Office, New York, New York
12/24/2005

Dear Chapter Presidents and Members,

As we move closer towards the great feast of Christmas, the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was given to humankind as the ultimate gift and the definitive example of love, to illuminate our lives with faith and hope, we are inspired to bring hope, faith and love to those in great need by practical acts of charity and kindness.

Over three months have passed since the Gulf Coast was ravaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and, still today, entire families are left homeless, jobless and lacking all their household possessions. We, the National Philoptochos Society, are humbled and grateful to be able to assist a number of our Orthodox brothers and sisters with temporary housing expenses, as well as the purchasing of major necessary appliances, through our donation of $98,000 towards the Archdiocese Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund.

Our work as Philoptochos is far from over as the crisis is ongoing and continuous, in my November communication to you, I asked that we, as Philoptochos, help to provide the hope, the trust, and the confidence that the lives of these families will be improved with our support and assistance. The rebuilding of this hope, this trust, and this confidence may be accomplished through the National Philoptochos Society Adopt a Family Project.

This voluntary project addresses the immediate, short, and long-term needs of primarily the Orthodox victims of the Gulf Coast tragedy. After a long and arduous process to locate all the families in need, a list has finally been compiled with information about the families, along with a registry of their basic needs. The needs are vital, necessary and large beyond imagination. Most of the families have lost everything we take for granted on a day to day basis. The needs include sheets and towels, dining and kitchen implements, small appliances, kitchen, bedroom and living room furnishings. A more detailed list is enclosed.

If your Chapter would like to assist and support this project by sponsoring a family, please note that you can do so with a donation of the actual item(s)in need or a gift card to stores, such as, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Bed Bath and Beyond, Circuit City, Belks, Sears, JC Penney's, Dillards, Old Navy, Win-Dixie Food Stores, Toy's R Us, Home Depot, Lowes, or an American Express gift certificates. If you choose to participate, please contact the National office at 212 744-4390 for further information and assistance, so we may move forward with this project of hope.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you, the ladies of Philoptochos, for your tireless, devoted and unending efforts for philanthropy. Let us continue on our path together in harmony, peace and love, bringing us closer to God and to each other.
With love in Christ,

Georgia Skeadas
National Philoptochos President


Below is a listing of items in need. The majority of families have repeatedly stated that they have lost everything and thus did not include specific sizes or quantities needed. Where they have, we have stated the specific request.

Clothing

Women: shirts size M, pants size 8-10, (2) requests of size 12 or L anything,
Men: shirts size M (34-36) (2) pants size 34, size XL anything, pants size 33w x 32L, size 3S shirts, size large or 17x32 shirts, and jacket X-L

Children's:
Boy's: size 12-14, size 8
Girls: shirts size 7-8, pants, size 8, and jackets size 10-12

Toddlers:
Girls: Size 2T and 3T

Sleepwear: men's size L; boy's size 8; women's size L

Furniture: sofa bed, 16 living room sets, 15 dining room/kitchen sets, 1 bedroom sets, chairs, 2 requests for lamps, toddler bed

Mattress Sets: 16 complete mattress sets - most requested queen size

Bedding: comforter sets and sheets - all sizes, (6) queen sheets, (1) king set, (3) twin sheets, (9) pillows

Small Appliances: (11} microwaves, (5) blenders, (9) toaster/toaster ovens, (7) coffee makers, (2) mixers, (2) vacuums, hair dryer

Housewares:
Kitchen: Pyrex, pots, pans, silverware, dishes, glassware, etc,
Bathroom Linens: towels of all sizes, (1) hamper
Kitchen Linens: dishcloths, pot holder, etc.

Entertainment
Toys
Infants: anything
Toddlers: educational or music CD's or DVD's., anything for a girl- age 3

Books
Toddlers: Thomas the Train, Sesame Street, anything for girl age 3
Pre-Teen: Mary Kate and Ashley, Hello Kitty, 3rd & 4th reading level books
Adults: Greek Bible

Telephone Calling Cards: (1) chronically ill - does not have phone, (2) other requests

Other: toiletries, (3) televisions (3) iron's and ironing boards, sewing machine

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