Founded in 1992, IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). It provides food, shelter, economic self-sufficiency and hope to those in need around the world. This is an ongoing financial commitment of the Philoptochos Society.

The mission of the IOCC Committee is to provide financial assistance to IOCC and to continue fundraising through our regular drives and to better communicate to the Chapters the scope of this ministry.

For further inquiries, please contact Helen Lavorata, National Philoptochos Director, at 212-744-4390 or PhilosNY@aol.com.

National Philoptochos Responds to Hurricane Katrina

The images of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are heart-rending. What we have seen is a “seething sea of suffering people.” Trauma, fear, despair and uncertainty prevail, as a result of the devastating blow from one of the most significant natural disasters in the history of the United States. Some communities remain beyond reach from outside help. The suffering of survivors is wrenching, and the property destruction is shocking.

It is because of the witness of our Orthodox Christian faith and our overwhelming compassion and love for all humankind, that the National Philoptochos Society, primarily through the benevolence and the efforts of our extraordinary Philoptochos Chapters and members, across the country, will be contributing $50,000 to the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), which is the humanitarian aid agency of SCOBA. These funds are being made available through the IOCC National Philoptochos Commitment Fund.

Georgia Skeadas, National Philoptochos President, September 2, 2005