Philoptochos

 Philoptochos Board Members 2025-27

President: Connie Kouzes
1st Vice President: Cathy Forchas
2nd Vice President: Andrea Tiggas
Correspondence Secretary: Dena Tortorelis
Secretary: Shannon Baustian
Treasurer: Kathleen Wendland
Assistant Treasurer: Mary Ellis
Advisor: Annette Legeros

Directors: Maria Boosalis, Elena Gabor, Victoria Hanson, Erline Holman, Kathy Pinger, Maria Smith, Eleni George

Upcoming Events

 General Meeting

Sunday, March 29, at 11:45 a.m., in the Terrace Room.

We will have a very informative presentation by our own Peter and Libby Cheolis on “Situational Awareness: Preparation equals Confidence”— a very timely, important topic. We will also be discussing items coming up in April and May which will be very busy months for Philoptochos as we prepare for Pascha and thereafter. Please come, be informed on a topic of personal safety, and see how you can help us going forward. Food and fellowship will be provided!

 Tandem Fundraising Drive

Tandem Fundraising Drive: Now through April 5 This Lent Philoptochos is again partnering with the Tandem Family Resource Center to support families in need. The Tandem Center (formerly Tapestry) provides resources for women in crisis. Please stop by our table to pick up an envelope to make your donation. Learn more at: www.wearetandem.org

 Philoptochos Hosting Lenten Meal after Presanctified Liturgy: March 18

 Philoptochos will host the Lenten meal on Wednesday, March 18, raising funds for Philoxenia House. We need your help! Please visit our table during coffee hour today and sign up to help with set up, serving, and clean up, or volunteer on Signup Genius here. We look forward to sharing this meaningful meal with everyone!

 Healing House Help Needed

 Saturday, March 21

Metro Hope Ministries’ Healing House is a beautiful ministry that offers long-term residence and a Christ-centered recovery program for women and mothers with children overcoming addiction. St Mary’s Philoptochos has the honor of supporting Healing House six times throughout the year by providing a home-cooked meal and sharing in Bible study. Our next meal will be Saturday, March 21, from 5:00-7:30 p.m. We are in need of six adult volunteers to provide and serve the meal on site. Volunteer slots can be found on SignUpGenius here.

 Bancroft School – Volunteer Appreciation Drive

Brancroft Elementary School was hit hard by Operation Metro Surge. Philophotos would like to make donations to their Teacher Appreciation program. This year the teachers at the school would like the donations to go to their volunteers. These volunteers step up by taking the children to school and back, as well as helping out with groceries and medication. The volunteers have been a point of contact for families at Bancroft and thus, helping the school.

Philoptochos will be holding a drive for the next month and is requesting donations of $20 gift cards for gas stations like Holiday and Speedway, as well as $20 cards for Target or Walmart. Cash and check donations are welcome too. Your gift will be given to the kind souls who help and support the school through the cold winter. Collections start this Sunday and will end on Palm Sunday, April 5. Please drop off at the Philoptochos table on Sundays. If you have any questions, please contact Connie Kouzes or Carol Smith.

* Signup at the Philoptochos table for any of these events.

Standing Committees

 Standing Committee Chairs (2025-27)

Marketing/Communications: Shannon Baustian
Social Committee: Erline Hoffman
Fund Raising: Dena Tortorelis
Membership: Annette Legeros
Social Services: Mary Ellis
History: Dena Tortorelis
Parish Needs: Andrea Tiggas
Budget Committee: Kathi Wendland

What is Philoptochos?

The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Founded in 1931, Philoptochos now has more than 400 local chapters the mission to promote charitable, benevolent and philanthropic outreach, to preserve the sanctity of life and family, and to perpetuate and promote our Orthodox faith and traditions.

St. Mary’s established the official Philoptochos Chapter 2049 in 1945, but women of the church have been serving others since 1910 when seven women founded the first known service group Elpis, which means Hope in Greek. Today, nearly 200 women are members of our chapter. We hold fundraising events and receive monies from the parish to support many charitable groups, including:

• Seven food shelves and four non-profits that lift up women and children in the Twin Cities
• Orthodox organizations including Prison Ministry, 4 monasteries, 6 orphanages, Hellenic College Holy Cross Seminary, IOCC, OCMC, and Orthodox Christian Network
• Organizations supported by the Chicago Metropolis and National Philoptochos Boards

We also provide support to the parish by planning decorations and special needs during the Easter and Christmas seasons, running a Women’s Book Club, hosting receptions for special occasions and guests, organizing hands-on service projects, and responding to clergy requests.

All women are welcome to participate in Philoptochos activities and invited to join as a member. The annual membership drive runs from January through April each year.

To contact St. Mary’s Philoptochos, please email philoptochos@stmarysgoc.org.