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.
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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 (Philanthropy)
Sundy Urban (Membership)
Holy Apostles Philoptochos Calendar (2019-2020)
National Philoptochos Press Release Regarding COVID-19
March 24, 2020
Second, because metropolises and chapters may be unable to continue their Feed the Hungry Outreach Programs during the crisis , chapters are being asked to consider a donation to their local food bank or alternatively to support the COVID-19 National Philoptochos Emergency Fund Drive. To donate now, please visit us at www.philoptochos.org/donation and donate to the Emergency Fund located under Special Appeals. All donations until further notice will be restricted to the COVID-19 Fund.
Third, the Department of Social Services is working in cooperation with each Metropolis across the United States. Monies will be disbursed to each Metropolis according to Social Service guidelines. At the Metropolis level, monies will be disbursed to those who are in need of financial support.
Fourth, National Philoptochos has gathered resources to help members cope with the anxiety that all citizens are facing as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. These can be found on the website at www.philoptochos.org/whats-happening/. National Philoptochos encourages everyone to stay connected during this difficult time! Maintaining connections with friends and family via phone calls, texts, and video meetings during this period of sheltering in place, will help reduce anxiety.
Faith in our mission unites and empowers us to make a difference. The National Philoptochos Board expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Philoptochos chapters and parishes across the nation for support of its philanthropic programs. Without the cooperation of the entire Greek Orthodox community, our work would not be possible. Working together, with the love and blessings of God, we will continue our work to lessen the pain, loss and suffering of the most fragile in our society
Upcoming Events:
Easter Candles (Lambathes) Sales - TBD
Starting Sunday, March 22nd
Decorated candles for Easter (lambathes) will be available to purchase on Sundays after the Divine Liturgy starting March 22nd. They will also be available after the Holy Unction services on Holy Wednesday. These candles make great gifts for godparents to give to their godchildren.
Lenten Dinner - TBD
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.
Easter Bake Sale -TBD
We will sponsor an Easter Bake Sale featuring tsourekia, kouloria, red Easter egg dye, and other sweets the weekend of Palm Sunday.
If you would like to provide sweets for the sale, please contact Aleka Ernst at aleka.ernst@aol.net.
Easter Eggs - TBD
Please bring unrefrigerated red eggs to the multi-purpose room by Holy Thursday, April 16th. The eggs will be distributed at the Anastasi and Agape services.
All are welcome to help wrap the eggs in tulle after the Royal Hours service on Holy Friday morning.
Past Events:
Feed My Starving Children - CANCELED!!!
Saturday, March 14th
Celebration of Books Reception -CANCELED!!!
Sunday, March 15th following Vespers
Blankets of Love
Thank you to all that donated blankets. We collected 149 blankets! Philoptochos had initially planned to donate all of our blankets to The Cradle, one of the leading adoption centers in the United States. Due to space constraints, The Cradle can only accept 50 of our blankets. The remainder will be distributed to the NICU at Loyola University Medical Center and to the People's Resource Center in Wheaton for their layette program.
Godparents Luncheon
Sunday, February 9th
Approximately 250 guests enjoyed an afternoon of fellowship, delicious food, beautiful decorations, and a fun photo opportunity.
Thank you so much to the Philoptochos members that organized this event. Great job, ladies!!!
From Left: Kristin Beavers, Deanne Chiganos, Leah Brinkmeyer, Cristin Chiganos, Marianna Bannos, Alexis Miller, and Melissa Moulden
Christmas Breakfast
Sunday, December 17th
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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 - 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.
A message from our 2015-2019 President Faye Adams
Philoptochos Calendar 2018-2019
Philotochos Volunteer Sign Up
Philoptochos welcomes new members! If you have any questions, please contact our Membership Chair, Chrisie Alex, at (630) 272-0737.
