NEWS ELSEWHERE - IOCC, FOCA, PROJECT MEXICO, FOCUS NORTH AMERICA
INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES PROVIDES AID TO RUSSIANS AFFECTED BY FIRES
International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC] began providing emergency supplies in late August to people affected by fires in the Ryazan region of Central Russia.
The response was made possible through a $5,000.00 gift from the Orthodox Church in America [OCA] and a $25,000.00 matching grant from the John G. Rangos Sr. Family Charitable Foundation.
Aid to the region southeast of Moscow will reach 640 people and includes personal hygiene kits, blankets, towels and bed linens. The relief is being provided in cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Round Table, an ecumenical forum for social service in Russia.
The grant from the John G. Rangos Sr. Family Charitable Foundation will support IOCC’s aid projects in Russia by creating a matching gift program. The Foundation will match every dollar contributed to IOCC for relief projects in Russia up to $25,000.00. Mr. Rangos, an IOCC founder, was instrumental in one of IOCC’s first humanitarian missions - an airlift of relief supplies and medicines to Russia in 1992.
In addition to the gift from the Orthodox Church in America, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah called upon parishes to provide support for the relief efforts. “I am also asking that members of the Orthodox Church in America offer financial assistance through IOCC, which will convey our donations to the appropriate Church partners and Church programs in Russia.” [See https://www.oca.org/news/2231.]
“We are grateful for the generous response of the Orthodox Church in America and John Rangos in response to the current urgent needs in Russia,” said Constantine M. Triantafilou, IOCC Executive Director. “Their steadfast support for our work with the Russian Orthodox Church since the earliest days of IOCC continues to make a difference for those who are suffering.”
The assistance provided by IOCC will support and compliment the efforts of the Russian Orthodox Church and parishes in the affected regions which are providing food, clothes and other items to those in need.
You can help the victims of disasters around the world, like the Russian Heat Wave and Wildfires, by making a financial gift to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund. To make a gift, please visit www.iocc.org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, PO Box 630225, Baltimore, MD 21263-0225.
IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), has implemented over $330 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world. IOCC has been providing emergency relief to Russia since the organization’s first airlift in 1992. Since that time, IOCC has implemented more than $60 million in aid projects throughout the Russian Federation.
FOCA 84TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OPENS IN PITTSBURGH SEPTEMBER 2
The Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America [FOCA] is holding it’s 84th National Convention at the Westin Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh September 2-6, 2010.
The convention will be hosted by the FOCA’s Pittsburgh District. The theme will be “Home Again in 2010 for an FOCA Family Reunion.”
One need not be a member of the FOCA to attend.
In addition to participating in plenary sessions and discussions, some of which will be designed to chart the FOCA’s future, and a number of liturgical services, attendees are invited to enjoy a variety of relaxing activities, including a golf tournament, a mystery dinner theater, a cruise on the city’s three rivers, and the traditional grand banquet and ball.
Special activities, including a visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium and the Carnegie Science Center, are being planned for attendees ages 10 through 17.
For detailed information visit www.foca2010.blogspot.com on the FOCA web site or contact John Schultz, chairman, at 304-723-1223 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
PROJECT MEXICO ANNOUNCES ON-LINE REGISTRATION FOR WORK GROUPS
On September 6, 2010, Project Mexico will begin registering work group participants on-line.
The process is simple: Log on to http://www.projectmexico.org, navigate to Home Building > Volunteer Registration, select dates, enter all participant and group leader information, and pay the trip deposit with a credit or debit card. All necessary forms and packets will be posted to the group account for easy access—in addition to being e-mailed upon registration, and an up-to-date account balance will be viewable at all times.
This summer, over 350 workers volunteered their time to build 15 houses for needy families in Mexico.
For additional information visit Project Mexico’s web site at http://projectmexico.org.
FOCUS NORTH AMERICA ANNOUNCES TRIPS FOR “YOUTH EQUIPPED TO SERVE”
The “Youth Equipped to Serve” [YES] Program of FOCUS North America is planning eight exciting ministry trips for young people during the fall of 2010. Ypsilanti, MI; Dallas, TX; Indianapolis, IN: Pheonix, AZ; Chicago, IL; Rhode Island; and the Carolinas are among the destinations in which youth are invited to minister while developing a strong community with one another.
For detailed information visit the YES web site at www.yesnorthamerica.org.