Metropolis of Chicago selected as one of 10 local charities to help deliver COVID-19 humanitarian relief and recovery to vulnerable populations in Chicago
Lombard, IL, May 12, 2020 – The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago announced today it has been chosen to participate in a new campaign to deliver humanitarian relief and recovery to the Chicago populations hardest hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The humanitarian campaign will be funded by proceeds generated by a telethon called “Sweet Home Chicago” that is being organized by the Chicago CEO COVID-19 Coalition, a recently formed alliance of Chicago business leaders.
“Serving our neighbors is one of the truest expressions of our Orthodox Christian faith,” said His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael. “For that reason, we take it as both a blessing and a responsibility to care for the most vulnerable people across Chicago. We are forever grateful to John Koudounis and John Calamos, Sr. for their vision and leadership.”
The Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund will allocate donations to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, as well as the following charities: Greater Chicago Food Depository; Salvation Army Metropolitan Division; The Night Ministry; Catholic Charities; Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago; Jewish United Fund; Metropolitan Family Services; the 100 Club of Chicago; and Howard Brown Health.
The charities will focus on supporting and advancing the four critical focus areas identified by the Chicago CEO COVID-19 Coalition: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for first responders; food for those lacking access to affordable, nutritious food; shelter and support for the homeless, and essential, behavioral health counseling for those requiring it.
“Our humanitarian campaign is about helping the people which is the future of the City of Chicago at a time when it is urgently needed,” said founding coalition member John Koudounis, CEO of Calamos Investments. “For any humanitarian campaign to be successful, people must be supported and served on the community level. We couldn’t be more pleased to join forces with upstanding charity partners like the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, known for service spanning many generations.”
The “Sweet Home Chicago” telethon will be broadcast on NBC Sports Chicago and simultaneously livestreamed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, on Saturday, May 16 at 5 pm CDT. The telethon will be hosted by Deon Cole, star of the TV shows “Black-ish” and “Grown-ish” and an Emmy-nominated writer of the Conan O’Brien show.
For more information or to make a donation, visit the Chicago CEO COVID-19 Coalition or make a donation through the Sweet Home Chicago Relief and Recovery GoFundMe page.
About the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
Tracing its roots back to 1923, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is the diocese of Greek Orthodox faithful in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Indiana, and southeastern Missouri, consisting of 58 parishes and two monastic communities. The Metropolis is one of nine regions in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and is presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael. The general offices of the Metropolis are temporarily located in Lombard, Illinois. For more information and to get involved, visit our website, join a Strategic Planning Team, sign up to receive Metropolis news and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
For Media Inquiries Only:
Chris Varones
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