National Philoptochos Donates $20,000 To Haitian Relief Effort

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January 15, 2010                                                                               Christine Karavites    
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NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS DONATES $20,000 TO HAITIAN RELIEF EFFORT ISSUES A CALL TO CHAPTERS TO SUPPORT APPEAL

National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas announced that the National Philoptochos Society responded immediately to the appeal of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios with $20,000 in aid from the National Philoptochos Society's Emergency Fund. 

In a letter to the National Philoptochos throughout the country President Skeadas stated,"It is with great sadness we learned of the loss of human life and devastating destruction following the earthquake of magnitude 7.0 that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010."

"This donation to IOCC, which is working in partnership with the Norwegian Church, will assist to meet the urgent need for safe drinking water and shelter.  Water purification equipment that will serve 10,000 people and 500 family tents, as well as other supplies, are being airlifted to Haiti.  The aid, valued at more than $600,000, is expected to reach Port-au-Prince by Saturday, January 16."

"IOCC is coordinating its response with the international ecumenical alliance, Action by Churches Together (ACT), and Orthodox partners on the ground to address the urgent humanitarian need for emergency supplies such as food, safe water, hygiene supplies, and shelter.  Efforts by IOCC staff is ongoing to monitor needs as they emerge and coordinate shipments of aid through the alliance. IOCC encourages the assemblage of hygiene kits and emergency clean-up buckets that will be shipped to Haiti.  Information on the kits and buckets is included with this letter. 
 
Much will be required in Haiti, home to two Greek Orthodox Churches. The tragedy is great and the suffering is widespread. Please open your hearts and offer full support to this endeavor by sending your Philoptochos Chapter contribution to the National Philoptochos Society marked for the National Philoptochos Haiti Disaster Relief Fund at 7 West 55 Street, NY, NY 10019. You may choose to donate through your Chapter's treasury or through a targeted appeal.  No dollar amount is too small. 
 
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society is dedicated to assisting persons in need. It is our mission to offer kind acts and demonstrate our will to faithfully serve."