Philoptichos Philanthropic Outreach

Members of our Prayer Shawl Ministry knit, crochet or sew shawls as they pray for those who are in need of comfort. The shawl is a tangible way for the recipient to feel the warmth and love of our community and the embrace of God’s comfort and healing, compassion and peace. The impact of the Prayer Shawl Ministry is three-fold; it impacts the giver, the receiver and the makers of the shawls. A prayer shawl offers hope and comfort to someone going through a trying time and many times is accepted with hugs and tears of thanks from knowing someone cares. A prayer shawl allows the giver a way to offer compassion and minister to someone in need when words are not enough, or words won’t come. A prayer shawl gives a God given purpose to an individual with the talent of knitting, crocheting or looming the shawls and enriches their prayer life.

If you are interested in being part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, know someone in need of the comfort of a prayer shawl, or would like to donate yarn, please contact PamToundas. ([email protected])

Associated with our Philoptochos Society The mission of Share the Light is to actively share the love of Christ to those in our community who are facing difficult challenges and/or are homebound. Our ministry aims to bring encouragement through prayer, cards, calls, and visitation, and to offer comfort and aid where need exists. Volunteers are needed.

Chairs: SandraRogan ([email protected]) LesleySunas ([email protected])

We meet on the third Tuesday of each month.
Having fun making dinner and cute desserts for those families with sick children that are staying at Ronald McDonald House.

Pop Tops for Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House wants the pop tabs off your aluminum cans! They’ll be recycled for cash to help provide housing for families visiting Jacksonville while their children receive medical care. Just bring them to church and give them to Julia or any of the Philoptochos members.

Julia Pappas ([email protected])

College Students
We like to continue on with what Philoptochos has started when we recognize our graduating high school seniors by keeping in touch with them as they venture into their new identity as college freshmen. We could expand to sophomores also. Will add more information as this ministry gets built up.

OCF https://www.ocf.net

Stephanie Wilkinson ([email protected])

Every year Philoptochos raises money so that we can provide badly needed school supplies to local schools that are in significant need. Educators at the local schools are contacted and they provide a list of the items needed that year. Using the funds collected, we then procure as much as possible from the most cost-effective sources known and then deliver them to the schools. In this way, the benefit is provided to as many students as possible.

Debora Gay ([email protected])

In 2014, our Philoptochos were given the blessing to arrange for people to ”adopt” a Senior Angel at Christmas time. These Senior Angels are individuals living in an assisted living facility, and they have little or no family support. When someone adopts or sponsors a resident, they provide gifts that we deliver to their rooms. It has been such a wonderful outreach for all involved, from those who adopt and purchase gifts, to Santa’s elves who deliver the gifts, to the recipients themselves! This is truly an outreach that shows the reason why Philoptochos is a friend of those in need.

Cindy Tsengas ([email protected])

As we stop and consider the many blessings we have in our life, we also must remember those who are less fortunate and truly need help. The mission of Philoptochos is to reach out into the community and care for those in need. We work closely with Father Nicholas and several schools and organizations, to identify families that are without food for the Holiday season.

Mardy Amundsen ([email protected])

Confidential, culturally competent, faith-based services to promote dignity, self-determination, and independence.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord;
“plans to prosper you and never to harm you; to give you a future and a hope.”
– Jeremiah 29:11

Effie Lasoff ([email protected])

In March and November of each year, our community gathers together for volunteer opportunities that make a difference in our community at large.

Some of these volunteer activities include:

• Packing weekend meals for children who otherwise may not get a meal through Hunger Fight
• Making up Blessing Bags with food, water and essentials for the Homeless
• Making meals for families staying at Ronald McDonald House
• Providing meals for the Homeless at City Rescue Mission
• Sharing the Light of Christ through cards and phone calls to our homebound parishioners
• Building/renovating homes through HabiJax
• Helping survivors of domestic abuse through donations/volunteering at Hubbard House

Many hands are needed for these events and you can join us by registering online or at church prior to the event.

Pam Toundas ([email protected]) and Carol Burroughs ([email protected])