PHILANTHROPY
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that has offered eighty years of philanthropy through a multitude of programs that make a difference in the lives of people in the United States and throughout the world. The Society was established in November 1931, by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I, who was then serving as Archbishop of North and South America.
Philoptochos fulfills its mission through its National and Metropolis Boards and its 485 Chapters and 27,500 members nationwide.
Mission Statement
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc., is the duly accredited women's philanthropic society of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, whose mission is:
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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 through fund raising efforts; and
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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;
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To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usages and customs;
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To promote participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community, with the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council.
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The charitable work of the Society shall be performed with discretion, courtesy and kindness.
Membership
St. Katherine Philoptochos Anastasia Chapter #5064
Become a member by completing the "Membership Form" (link below) and submitting your financial stewardship to the Philoptochos Treasurer or Membership Chair. Our season runs September through May.
National Website
For more than six years, volunteers from our St. Anastasia Ladies Philoptochos Society chapter, under the leadership of Elaine Daravingas, gather the second Tuesday morning of each month at the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida in Naples, FL to prepare, box, or bag food, vegetables and fruit. This food bank provides food for more than 28,000 people each week who reside in the five regional counties in and around Naples. About 26 percent of the people served by Harry Chapin are children and 15 percent are senior citizens. Most of the clients of Harry Chapin are working families struggling to make ends meet. Many of these families receive food through the Harry Chapin Mobile Pantries Program. The sisters’ time together to help others has become not only one of service to those in need, but a moment of the week to create and nurture the bonds of sisterhood.
For information on volunteering with Philoptochos at Harry Chapin, please contact Elaine Daravingas.
Through the generosity of our St. Anastasia members, and each of the parishioners of St. Katherine, our Philopotochos chapter provides support to numerous entities and neighbors in need. Our annual Angel Tree Giving Project raised $1500 for the Collier Senior Resources and the Golden Gate Senior Center.
Our inaugural “Philoptochos Gives Thanks” Food Drive generated over 3500 pounds of non-perishable goods, which were sorted into ten food baskets. These food baskets were distributed to low-to-moderate income families throughout Collier County, including families purchasing homes from Habitat for Humanity and families of students attending Manatee Middle School in Naples.
The annual Philoptochos Christmas Luncheon sponsored the Salvation Army/US Marine Corps Toys-4-Tots gift program. Over 100 toys for children of all ages were donated, brightening Christmas of children in the Southwest Florida region. In March, our chapter and parish will once again sponsor the monthly luncheon for the participants of STAR-ability Foundation, which provides services, training and support for those with disabilities.