Aid to Greece and Cyprus

Following the financial crisis that swept the globe in 2008, few countries were more adversely impacted than Greece and Cyprus. By 2013, the unemployment rate of our Greek brethren reached a devastating 28%—worse than the United States suffered during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Since 2012, Philoptochos stewards have sought to provide a measure of relief for the suffering of our brethren through the Aid to Greece and Cyprus initiative, whose mission is to assist, support, and enhance the quality of life for the struggling citizens of Greece and Cyprus. Our philanthropic efforts have consisted of three paths:

• Reaching out to our Philoptochos chapters across the nation to demonstrate their commitment by offering fellowship fundraising for the cause.
• Sponsoring a “Heart to Heart Pop-Up Kafé,” where small groups of people gather for a simple coffee social and are asked for a small donation. These small events are easy to host, require little time and effort and are designed to be sessions of camaraderie, purpose and awareness.
• Personal appeals to individual stewards wishing to contribute to this important initiative.

Through the generosity of our chapters and individual stewards across the U.S., Philoptochos has disbursed in excess of $1 million since 2012 to provide shelter, meals, electricity, medicine, emergency supplies and other necessities of life, as well as to support after school programs, to provide educational and social counseling for children, and to aid elderly seniors.  These funds were distributed not only through the Aid to Greece and Cyprus program, but also through the Autism Assistance Fund, as well as monies raised through special appeals to provide humanitarian relief following the devastating fires in Athens and the earthquake in Mytilene. All funds have been distributed to charities that are carefully reviewed, evaluated and vetted by the National President and Executive Board of Philoptochos and its Spiritual Advisor. To learn more, click here.

Tradition of Love

The Philoptochos Tradition of Love Tree provides an opportunity for individuals to honor or memorialize in perpetuity a beloved mother, Yiayia, or other loved one. The tree will grace a wall in the Center of Philanthropy and complement the Chapter Giving Tree. To learn more, click here.

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church & National Shrine

St. Nicholas will serve as a beacon of love for all who come to pray and reflect, and for the millions more who visit the World Trade Center and National September 11 Memorial & Museum, it will be a declaration of our Orthodox Christian faith to the world.  Please continue to do your part to help your local Philoptochos Chapter or Metropolis Philoptochos with small or large fundraising activities. Once we have raised $2.0 million, our commitment will be met, and our noble mission will be achieved. To learn more, click here.