Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society of Rye

To aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church."

Saints Kosmas and Damianos

Executive Board

resident – Mrs. Doulie Zimmar

1st Vice President – Mrs. Mary Libutti

2nd Vice President – Mrs. Angie Bissell

Treasurer – Mrs. Bessie Stolatis

Assistant Treasurer – Mrs. Kathy Staten

Rec. Secretary – Mrs. Marilyn Balamaci

Cor. Secretary – Mrs. Elizabeth Kreder

Honorary Advisor- Mrs. Christine Balidis

Philoptochos Board Members

Joni Alexopoulos	Elizabeth Maalouf
Marilyn Balamaci	Laurence Maalouf
Christine Balidis	Joanne Reilly
Angie Bissell	Chrys Simos
Larysa Dubovik	Bessie Stolatis
Beth Gregoriades	Kathy Staten
Elizabeth Karipides	Dimitra Soterakis
Elizabeth Kreder	Doulie Zimmar
Mary Libutti

CLICK HERE to learn more

Stewards of Creation - Greening the Parish

The mission of the society shall be:

To aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disaster, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer the assistance to anyoen who may need the help of the Church through fund raising efforts and To promote the charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts, and thorugh them, to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines, canons, disciplines, divine worship, usages and customs To promote participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community, with the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council.

The charitable work of the Society shall be performed with discretion, courtesy and kindness.

Message from our President:

Greetings!

Our Ladies Philoptochos Society of Rye chapter began the Ecclesiastical Year outdoors on the Courtyard “with a “Meet and Greet “social and General meeting. Our members were delighted to finally get together with one another after the long COVID pandemic. There was an opportunity to sign up for our various outreach programs and ministries.

This fall a new ministry—Stewards of Creation-- initiated by the DAD has been developed. Each chapter was challenged to create a greening project in honor of our Green Patriarch, His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to the United States. Our project is in concert with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) principles and is promoting a monthly food drive to support the Don Bosco Community Center pantry in Port Chester, NY. The EPA’s Food Recovery Hierarchy lists “Feed Hungry People” by donating to food banks, soup kitchens and shelters.

Operation Classroom, a program to assist an underfunded school, was again put into action. One hundred school bags as well as other school supplies were assembled and delivered to our adopted school, Columbus School in Mount Vernon, New York.

Last year due to the pandemic, our walk for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer was cancelled. This year, however, 24 walkers on the GOCOOS team enjoyed the comradery of being together for a good cause. Our team raised $2295 online for breast cancer research.

Our fall fundraiser, Champagne and Chocolate, was our first in-person event with 75 attendees. It was an elegant evening right down to each golden detail. David Valauri’s presentation on all things Champagne held everyone’s attention. The raffle had amazing prizes and fun was had by all. A portion of the proceeds will go to Beacons of Hope, a scholarship program initiated by Archbishop Elpidoforos for our seminarians.

A shoe drive initiated by the DAD collected several pairs of gently-used shoes. The children’s shoes will go to 914Cares and the adult shoes to Goodwill.

Our college care packages will once again be sent out to our college students. It is our way of keeping in touch and reminding them that their church family is thinking of them. The students appreciate receiving these packages.

It is not too late to become a steward of our Philoptochos for the 2021 year. Please consider joining these warm and embracing women who work hard to fulfill the mission of Philoptochos. Come and make new friends!

In His Name,

Doulie Zimmar

Chapter President

The Ladies Philoptochos chapter of the Church of Our Saviour participates in the following programs:

Abbott House, Angel Trees, Ayia Skepi Monastery, Beacons of Hope, College Care Packages, Don Bosco Community Center, Disaster Relief, Feed the Hungry Initiative, IOCC (International Organization of Christian Charities), Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Midnight Run, My Sisters’ Place, 914Cares, Operation Classroom, Project Mexico/St. Innocent Orphanage, St. Basil’s Academy, St. Michael’s Home for the Aged, Stewards of Creation Food Drive

NATIONAL COMMITMENTS:

Vasilopita proceeds to St. Basil’s Academy, Social Services Cancer Fund, Autism Assistance Fund, Saint Photios Shrine, Orthodox Christian Mission Center, Hellenic College/Holy Cross, International Organization of Christian Charities (IOCC), Sisterhood of Saint Basil Academy, 75^th Anniversary Founders Fund, Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), Hellenic College/Holy Cross Scholarship Fund, Retired Clergy and Widowed Presvyteres Benevolent Fund, National Philoptochos Emergency Fund, Ecumenical Patriarchate, National Sisterhood of Presvyteres Benevolent Fund, UNICEF, General Medical Fund

DIRECT ARCHDIOCESAN COMMITMENTS:

Hellenic Cultural Center, Holy Cross Scholarship, St. Michael’s Home for the Aged

OTHER PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES:

Beautification of Church and Grounds, GO RED FOR WOMEN, Hospitality, Knitting Club, Religious Retreats, Visits to St. Michael’s Home for the Aged/Shut-Ins