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Chicago, IL- Under the High Patronage of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, the Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos hosted the Seventeenth National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon, “Let Us Rejoice and Embrace the Children,” on Saturday, November 16th at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, IL.

Established in 1989, the Children’s Medical Fund (CMF) has made a positive difference in the lives of children in the United States and throughout the world by donating close to $3 million to medical programs and facilities that offer care, treatment, innovative research, and cures.

National Philoptochos President, Maria Logus and Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos President and Luncheon Chair, Pamela Agyris disbursed nearly $300,000 and announced the following 2019 Children’s Medical Fund Grant recipients:

1. Anchored in Hope, Lake Forest, IL

2. Child’s Voice, Wood Date, IL

3. Elyssa’s Mission, Northbrook, IL

4. Hadley School for the Blind, Winnetka, IL

5. Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, Chicago, IL

6. Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) Foundation Gages Lake, IL

7. John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL

8. University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary (IEEI), Chicago, IL

9. Beacon Children’s Hospital, South Bend, IN

10. Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana, Hammond, IN

11. Unity Point Health, St. Luke’s Foundation, Sioux City, IA

12. Fairview Foundation, St. Paul, MN

13. Hennepin Health Foundation, Minneapolis, MN

14. Family Forward, Brentwood, Children’s Home, St. Louis, MO

15. University of Missouri Health Care, Columbia, MO

16. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

17. Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation, Oconomowoc, WI

Highlighting the Luncheon as the keynote speaker was Fr. Mark Munoz, Proistamenos of Holy Anargyroi SS. Cosmas & Damianos Church in Rochester, MN. A special honor was presented to Anastasia Michals of Blessed Memory, Chair of the Sixteenth Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon. The Emcee for the afternoon was Andrea Darlas, Senior Director for Constituent Engagement at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America also designated the Sunday of the Good Samaritan each year as National Philoptochos Society Sunday. His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael expressed, “Since I was a child and to this very day, I have witnessed the selfless acts of members of the Philoptochos Society and continue to be moved by them in countless ways. We are truly blessed by the everyday acts of the Philoptochos Society, all of whom are essential elements in the rock upon which our Church is built. Axios!”

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 Elk Grove Village, Illinois. For more information and to get involved, visit our website, join a Strategic Planning Team, and sign up to receive Metropolis news.

For More Information:
Chris Varones
312-213-3887
chris.varones@aesopgroup.com