4th ANNUAL “DRESS A GIRL AROUND THE WORLD” SEW-A-THON THIS SATURDAY IN CHICAGO
YEARLY EFFORT TO MAKE AND SHIP DRESSES TO GIRLS IN NEED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
CHICAGO, IL: St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, 733 South Ashland Avenue in Chicago, hosted the 4th Annual Philoptochos “Dress a Girl around the World” Sew-A-Thon this past Saturday, October 15. Over 40 Philoptochos members from throughout the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago assisted in making and shipping dresses to girls and young women in need throughout the world. This year’s co-chairs of the event were Dorothy Bezemes and Helene Frankos, both parishioners of St Basil Greek Orthodox Church.
To date, materials from this event have been shipped to Haiti, Zambia, Philippines, Kenya and India as well as numerous parts of our own nation and community. Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, joined the ladies midday at the event, taking time to thank them for their generosity and even took up the sewing needle himself.
“It is wonderful the work you are all doing today” Bishop Demetrios told the gathering. “This event is a perfect reflection of the word Philoptochos and His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos and I thank you for your time and talent.”
The dresses made from this event will be boxed up and shipped to areas in need. Accompanying each dress will be a some panties, a hand made bracelet and a hand written note of encouragement and well wishes from several young children that attended today’s event.
The Greek word Philoptochos means “friend of the poor.” The National Ladies’ Philoptochos Society is the largest philanthropic and charitable organization of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and one of the largest women’s charitable organizations in the world, whose goal is to help those in need and support the institution of the family. There are chapters of the Philoptochos Society in nearly every parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese nationwide. The Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Board coordinates efforts of all chapters in the Metropolis of Chicago.
The Metropolis of Chicago oversees all Greek Orthodox Parishes within Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as well as large portions of Missouri and Indiana. You can find more information on His Grace Bishop Demetrios and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago on our website: www.chicago.goarch.org or join our Facebook page at Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago. For more information on Philoptochos, please see their website at www.Philoptochos.org.
