Philoptochos
Philoptochos
Philoptochos is the philanthropic heart of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Its mission is to help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, those with disabilities, and the victims of natural disasters.
Philoptochos' philanthropic outreach extends to all areas of the country and throughout the world. In 2018, National Philoptochos distributed close to $1.5 million in philanthropic aid. The Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos dispersed an additional $57,000, not including funds dispersed by individual chapters.
Philoptochos’ focus includes addressing topics such as child abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, human trafficking, bullying, women’s health, substance abuse, and aging.
In addition to outreach through its 56 active chapters throughout the Metropolis of Chicago, recent outreach activities include:
- A bi-weekly Feed the Hungry program at the Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago that has served almost 100,000 thousand meals to date
- Metropolis-wide Vasilopita, the Lenten Retreat, the annual September Luncheon, the Metropolitan Nathanael’s Name Day Open House, and the Metropolis Christmas Open House
- Providing 1.3 million meals to the hungry within communities across the country 2016-2018
- The annual Philoptochos “Make a Difference Day” to involve children in philanthropy
- Fundraising devoted to the Aid to Greece & Cyprus Campaign, disaster relief, and aiding U.S. serviceman and servicewomen
*Calendar last updated: January 2021
Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Board
| Name | Office |
| Marilyn Tzakis | President |
| Georgia Sarlas | First Vice President |
| Carol Stamas | Second Vice President |
| Katherine Siavelis | Recording Secretary |
| Kathy Walstrom | Corresponding Secretary |
| Pat Gerbanas | Treasurer |
| Kathy Katrakis | Assistant Treasurer |
| Pam Argyris | Advisor |
| Juliana Arsoniadis | Board Member |
| Demetria Bakris | Board Member |
| Flora Dimitriou | Board Member |
| Georgia Gavaris | Board Member |
| Christina Hiotis | Board Member |
| Marilynn Jemas | Board Member |
| Vonnie Karafotias | Board Member |
| Wanita Loupakos | Board Member |
| Maria Macris | Board Member |
| Dena Pavlopoulos | Board Member |
| Kathi Stamatis | Board Member |
| Joanne Stavrakas | Board Member |
| Lindsay Stavrakas | Board Member |
| Irene Arsoniadis | Honorary Board Member |
| Mary Ann Bissias | Honorary Board Member |
| Susan Regos | Honorary Board Member |
| Helen Theodosakis | Honorary Board Member |
| Lori Voutiritsas | Honorary Board Member |
Website
Address
126 East 37th Street
New York, NY 10016
Contact
Contact Person: Marilyn Tzakis, President
Questions for the Philoptochos? Want to get involved?
Tel: (312) 404-7962
Send a Message
Latest Philoptochos News
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Philoptochos Perspective: Spring 2020 »
July 1, 2020
The Philoptochos Perspective: Spring 2020 showcases the Philoptochos Sisters putting together food baskets, calling fellow Parishioners, assisting the elderly with grocery deliveries and medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, the Philoptochos also began Masks Matter, distributing 7,600 hand-sewn masks to date to non-first responders, and donated to food banks to help the hungry.
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Philoptochos Perspective: Children's Medical Fund Special Luncheon Edition »
April 13, 2020
The Spring 2020 Philoptochos Perspective is a special edition dedicated to the Children's Medical Fund Luncheon that was held on November 16, 2019 and disbursed $300,000 and awarded 17 Children’s Medical Fund Grant recipients. Read the Philoptochos Perspective: Children's Medical Fund Special Luncheon Edition to view letters, quotes and photos from the memorable event.
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Philoptochos Hosts Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon in Chicago to Benefit Area Hospitals and Children’s Programs »
November 18, 2019
National Philoptochos President, Maria Logus and Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos President and Luncheon Chair, Pamela Agyris disbursed nearly $300,000 and awarded 17 Children’s Medical Fund Grant recipients for 2019.
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Winter 2018-19 Philoptochos Perspective »
March 15, 2019
Read the Winter 2018-2019 Philoptochos Perspective Newsletter
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Sew-a-Event held at St Basil's Church »
October 26, 2016
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.
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Philoptochos Holds Annual Lenten Retreat »
March 29, 2016
Over 165 members of the Metropolis of Chicago chapters of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society gathered Saturday at the Holy Cross Church in Justice for their annual Lenten Retreat.
