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Philoptochos

About Philoptochos

The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos society is the official philanthropic women’s organization of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and one of the largest Christian women’s organizations in America. The name means “friend of the poor” being derived from the Greek words philo(friend) + ptohos (poor). Established in 1931, this non-profit organization is comprised of over 25,000 members in more than 480 chapters nationwide. The Holy Apostles chapter is one of the largest chapters nationwide with about 200 members.

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote charitable and philanthropic outreach by aiding the poor, the hungry, the sick, the orphaned and the victims of disasters.

The Holy Apostles Chapter

More than 50 years of Philanthropic Endeavors
This chapter supports a variety of philanthropic and charitable organizations as well as programs that benefit our parish.
Our volunteers assist year-round with projects and fundraising events to benefit the local community and national and international communitites.
The Holy Apostles chapter has donated over 250,000 over the last 5 years to charitable causes.

Holy Apostles Philoptochos Society- 2017 Board

Board of Directors for 2019-2021

Officers

President – Cynthia Stathopoulos

1st Vice President – Anne Theophilos

2nd Vice President – Antella Thiakos

Treasurer – Nia Kouchis

Asst. Treasurer – Eleni Poteres (Programs)

Corresponding Secretary – Emily Rehn

Recording Secretary – Tina Dillon

Advisor - Faye Adams (Philanthropy)

Board Members

Chrisie Alex (Membership)

Aleka Ernst (Programs)

Wanita Loupakos

Cathy Magas (Pillars & Rocks)

Aleka Mandelaris (Pillars & Rocks)

Patty McKay (Philanthropy)

Evelyn Paleothodoros

Terry Parafink

Maria Patt (Publicity & Technology)

Anthoula Pomrening

Bess Shizas (Sunshine)

Margo Tomaras (Philanhropy)

Sundy Urban (Membership)

Message from Our President

Holy Apostles Philoptochos Calendar (2019-2020)

National Philoptochos

Upcoming Events:

Annual Parish Vasilopita

Sunday, January 12th

In the mutipurpose room following the Divine Liturgy

Metropolis of Chicago Vasilopita

Blankets of Love

Throughout February

Do you like to knit, crochet, or make fleece blankets? Please consider making a blanket or two for a needy infant. We will collect these blankets throughout February and donate them to The Cradle, one of the premier adoption agencies in the country. Collection boxes will be set up in front of HARC to accept your donations. Those who are unable to make a blanket can still participate by donating money for supplies. For more information, please contact Faye Adams at geofaye.adams@gmail.com.

Godparent's Luncheon

Sunday, February 9th

Philoptochos will host the Godparent's Luncheon following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 9th. This is a wonderful opportunity for godparents, godchildren, friends, and family to share a meal in the multi-purpose room as one Holy Apostles Community.

The luncheon is $10 for those 4 and older - children 3 and under are free.

Please click here to make a reservation electronically using a credit card.

Reservations to paid by cash or check may be made by texting Marianna Bannos at (312) 501-1533 or by email at marianna.bannos@gmail.com. Please indicate family name and total number of attendees with your reservation. Cash or check payments should be submitted to the church office. Checks should be made out to Holy Apostles Philoptochos.

Please RSVP by Thursday, February 6th for all payment methods.

General Meeting

Tuesday, February 18th at 7pm

Stockholm Objects

717 West Hillgrove Avenue - LaGrange

The store will be open exclusively to Holy Apostles Philoptochos and will feature wine, appetizers, and of course, shopping!

Members will receive an evite with more details and RSVP information

Mark Your Calendars:

Feed My Starving Children - Saturday, March 14th - Aurora - 9-11am

Celebration of Books Reception - Sunday, March 15th following Vespers - Lenten desserts and appetizers would be greatly appreciated - Please contact Margo Tomaras at margo.tomaras@gmail.com to bring a dish or assist with setup or serving.

Lenten Dinner - Wednesday, April 1st following the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. A variety of lenten foods are needed for this buffet-style, pot luck dinner. Please contact Sundy Urban at sguteachmusic@aol.com to bring a dish or assist with this event.

Past Events:

Christmas Breakfast

Sunday, December 17th

General Meeting and Christmas Party

Tuesday, December 10th in the multipurpose room

The Christmas Party Organizers did a FABULOUS job!!!

Beautiful decorations, delicious food, and delightful prizes!

Thank you, ladies!!!

The Hinsdale Central Madrigals entertained the gathering with songs of the season.

Collection Drive for Needy Children

November 17th-December 1st

The Holy Apostles Parish, together with Philoptochos, collected $4,000 to benefit the Family Shelter Service, which assists victims of domestic abuse. The money collected was then used by Philoptochos volunteers to purchase items for the Holiday Shoppe that FSS hosts every year. FSS clients shop for free for their families at the Holiday Shoppe. The parents can choose from toys, outerwear, books and school supplies, gift cards, and baby necessities.

For many of these children, these may the only items they receive for Christmas.

Thank you for your generosity!

The National Philoptochos Society presents:

The 17th Children's Medical Fund Luncheon

Hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos

Saturday, November 16th

Chicago Marriott

The Children's Medical Fund provides assistance to critically ill children whose families are unable to afford appropriate and necessary medical treatment. The fund provides grants for innovative research programs to pediatric hospitals and to organizations with programs that care for children with critical illnesses.

17 Grants were awarded for a total of $282,034!!!

Alone we can do so little - together we can do so much. - Helen Keller

Thank You to Fay Demakis and her Kindergarten Class for supporting the Children's Medical Fund Luncheon with a yummy Crispy Creme Donut Sale on Sept 29th.

The children raised $395!!!

Thanksgiving Food Drive

November 1st-17th

We collected 265 pounds of food, which translates to roughly 221 meals. Thank you for your support!

An Afternoon in Provence

Fashion Show Co-Chair Jen Govostis and Philanthropy Co-Chair Faye Adams present a $10,000 check to Carol Simler, President and CEO of DuPage Pads. The DuPage Pads medical respite program was one of the primary beneficiaries of the Fashion Show.

Fashion Show Co-Chair Anthoula Pomrening with Helen Chrones - St. Iakovos Retreat Center Board of Directors Sceretary

Fashion Show Co-Chair Anthoula Pomrening with Helen Chrones - Secretary to the St. Iakovos Retreat Center Board of Directors. The Retreat Center was the other primary beneficiary of the Fashion Show. Holy Apostles also donated $10,000 to the Retreat Center from the proceeds of the Fashion Show.

Thank you to all that made our annual fundraising event such a success! We are so grateful to all that worked on a committee, to our many donors, and to all the guests that attended the event. Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of fellowship, delicious food, beautiful fashions, and fabulous raffle prizes. The majority of the proceeds of this event support the DuPagePads medical respite program and the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. The remainder of the proceeds will fund our various philanthropic endeavors throughout the year.

A special thanks to our Co-Chairs, Anthoula Pomrening and Jen Govostis, for their tireless efforts!

We appreciate your support!

Membership Night (2019/20)

Our annual Membership Night was held on Tuesday, September 17th at LaBarra in OakBrook. Attendees were treated to a seasonal appetizers and a pizza buffet. Philoptochos Chairs outlined their plans for the upcoming year. Representatives from our two primary Fashion Show beneficiaries, DuPagePads and the St. Iakovos Retreat Center, were the keynote speakers.

Rise and Shine Food Drive

September 1st-September 29th

Philoptochos collected non-perishable breakfast food items to benefit the People's Resource Center Food Pantry in Wheaton.

286 pounds of food were collected, which roughly translates to 238 meals.

Thank you to the Holy Apostles Community for your generous donations!

Holy Apostles Vespers & Feast Day

Vespers - Saturday, June 29th and Feast Day - Sunday, June 30th

Thank You to all who donated, baked, or assisted with setup, serving, or cleanup!

(L to R) Evelyn Paleothodoros, Presbytera Michelle Georgiou, Maria Patt, Emily Rehn, Wanita Loupakos, Margo Tomaras, Sundy Urban, Aleka Ernst, Cynthia Stathopoulos, Antella Thiakos, Eleni Poteres and Faye Adams assist with preparations for the Holy Apostles Feast Day reception on Sunday, June 30th, 2019.

Collection Drives

Thank you to all who donated to our collection drives this year. Holy Apostles collected 103 pounds of food for HCS Family services in March. This translates to roughly 86 meals. From September through the HCS Food Drive in March, a grand total of 680 pounds of food, or roughly 567 meals was collected for those in need. Other recipients included the People's Resource Center and Loaves & Fishes.

We also collected 136 blankets and 615 children's books for the Peoples Resource Center in February. PRC gives each of their clients who is expecting as well as clients with infants a layette. The blankets we collected will be included in these layettes. The books we collected are used in multiple ways. Some of the books are part of birthday bags that are given to each child. Other books are available to children whose parents are taking classes offered by PRC throughout DuPage County. PRC was extremely grateful for this very generous donation!!!

Feed My Starving Children

Holy Apostles volunteers packed specially formulated meals for children in need at the Feed My Starving Children facility in Aurora on Saturday April 6th. They packed 24 boxes of food!

Poised for Success Collection Drive

We collected one rack of gently used professional clothing and accessories for Poised for Success in May 2019. This non-profit organization provides professional clothing for women in need to wear

Feed the Hungry

Holy Apostles Philoptochos sponsored the annual Feed the Hungry commitment at the Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago on May 14th. Holy Apostles volunteers provided the food and drinks, served the meal, and provided socks and baseball caps.

General Meeting

Chicago area award-winning author Paula Renee Burzawa discussed her new book, Eternal Stones and Other Memories of Greece on Thursday, May 16th in the multi-purpose room. Philoptochos Board elections were also held that night. Please click here for a detailed book description and author biography.