Host an IOCC Angel Tree Reception or Coffee Hour
Looking for a creative way to share IOCC with your parish during the Nativity season? Host an IOCC Angel Tree or coffee hour at your church and learn how your gifts of $50, $75, $100, and more will help families in need—whether it’s providing school snacks for students in Lebanon, vocational training for students in Greece, or disaster recovery supplies for a family affected by hurricanes in the US. Create an Angel Tree by downloading our ornaments, then cut, hang, and display! Get started at iocc.org/angeltree or contact Outreach at outreach@iocc.foxtrotdev.com.
US Programs Update
From November 12–15, IOCC Frontliners and Action Team volunteers gathered for a Field Volunteer Conference in Asheville, North Carolina, to deepen connections, enhance field skills, and strengthen their roles in disaster response as well as emotional and spiritual care. Thank you to all who came and participated in this conference, and for all the work you do for IOCC!
As we look ahead to the coming year, we invite you to consider joining an Action Team or forming a group, so together, we can help even more families return home in 2026. All 2026 dates are now available on our website, and we are actively seeking both groups and individual volunteers. If you’re interested in volunteering with an IOCC Action Team or organizing a group for 2026, please sign up at iocc.org/actionteam. For any questions, reach out to Krista Hamann at volunteercoordinator@iocc.foxtrotdev.com or call 667.331.9812.
Giving Tuesday
#GivingTuesday is December 2 this year! Keep an eye out for this year’s campaign, which includes matching gifts up to $30,000! Visit iocc.org/givingtuesday and double your impact.
We’re Grateful for our IOCC Sunday Volunteers
Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate IOCC Sunday this November. Your enthusiasm and support make it possible for IOCC to serve refugees, strengthen families, enhance livelihoods, and respond to emergencies around the world. By sharing IOCC’s mission within your parish communities, you play a vital role in bringing this work to life.
A special thank you to all the volunteers who hosted informational tables, spoke to their parishes, or organized kit drives. Your dedication and love for this ministry help spread awareness and strengthen IOCC’s impact worldwide.
Poland: A Family in Need Finds Hope
Oleg (not his real name) fled to Poland with his wife and five children in 2022 when bombardment began near their home in western Ukraine. Initially, their family did not plan to evacuate, but because the shelling had aggravated his daughter’s epilepsy, they decided to leave. A friend helped them find accommodation, but because of Oleg’s own deteriorating spinal condition, he was unable to work. “Today, it is the here and now that counts,” said Oleg.
After their arrival, Oleg learned about a program supporting local refugees, implemented by IOCC and partner ELEOS Poland, and funded through United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Read the full story here.
Volunteers in Action
Thank you to the IOCC volunteers across the country who support our mission every day!
San Jose, CA
On Saturday, November 1, parishioners from St. Basil Greek Orthodox church gathered for a Vespers and dinner to support IOCC’s relief efforts in Gaza. Following Vespers, IOCC’s newest Gift Officer, Luke O’Dell, presented IOCC’s work and humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the Holy Land. Parishioners engaged in a Q&A session followed by a traditional meal inspired by the people we serve. A special thank you to His Eminence Metropolitan Tarasios and Elsie Saba for organizing this wonderful event for a good cause.
San Francisco, CA
On Sunday, November 2, IOCC supporters from across the San Francisco Bay Area gathered for the San Francisco Committee’s 33rd annual fundraiser to benefit IOCC. This year’s event, hosted by St. George Orthodox Church, featured an international food and wine tour showcasing traditional Slavic, Middle Eastern, Greek, and American dishes prepared with help from neighboring parishes. Guests heard an update on IOCC’s work from Gift Officer Luke O’Dell, and we were blessed to receive additional words of wisdom from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. A special thank you to Kristen and Jon Geleris, and to Karim and Kristen Azar for the many hours of generous work they dedicated to make this evening an amazing success!
Bayard, NE
On Sunday, November 2, the youth of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Bayard, Nebraska, hosted a frappe stand following Liturgy to support IOCC. They served delicious coffee to parishioners while raising awareness about IOCC’s humanitarian efforts. A heartfelt thank you to Deacon Jacob Dean for engaging the youth and taking the time to organize this meaningful event.
Rochester, MN
On Wednesday, November 12, Ari and Penny Kolas welcomed parishioners of SS. Kosmas and Damianos Greek Orthodox Church into their home for hors d’oeuvres and delicious homemade chili in support of IOCC. Guests gathered for a warm, cozy evening as Nick Kasemeotes shared reflections from his recent trip to Greece and Georgia, where he visited IOCC projects firsthand. A warm and genuine thank you to Ari and Penny Kolas for graciously opening their home year after year to host this lovely event and cultivate a community of IOCC supporters in Rochester.
Minneapolis, MN
On Thursday, November 13, Saint Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis hosted its annual reception in support of IOCC. Parishioners from Saint Mary’s, along with members of neighboring Orthodox communities across the Minneapolis area, gathered to hear Nick Kasemeotes share insights from his recent trip to Greece and Georgia, where he witnessed IOCC’s programs and impact firsthand. Outreach Coordinator Sophia Kayafas also presented a short video highlighting IOCC’s Action Teams and disaster relief efforts in the United States. A genuine thanks to Lea Hoeft for her help with this year’s event.
Pittsburgh, PA
On November 8, youth from the Pittsburgh area came together to assemble hygiene kits and volunteer their time in support of IOCC’s humanitarian mission. A heartfelt thank you to Nick Terezis and Nick Diamant for their leadership and coordination in making this event a success!
Charlotte, NC
On November 15, IOCC supporters from the Charlotte area gathered at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral for a Christmas Concert & Market to benefit IOCC. Participants heard news from IOCC Development Officer Lou Zagami and enjoyed the delicious food and fellowship. The choirs enchanted the guests with performances from Greek, Armenian, Serbian, Coptic, and Eritrean traditions and hymns for the Nativity. Our heartfelt thanks go to Laura Nixon, past IOCC board member and chair of the IOCC Charlotte committee, to Missy Davis and Elaine Fagan, co-chairs, to all the Committee members, to generous donors from the area, and to all the volunteers who made this event a memorable one!
Upcoming Events
Interested in planning your own event to raise awareness about IOCC? Get one on the calendar today! We’d love to help you organize, so please contact IOCC’s Outreach team at 410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org.
Check for updates at iocc.org/events. And thank you for partnering with us!
- IOCC Angel Tree Ornaments
- April 19 – Pittsburgh, PA: “Bright Bites” Food and Fellowship to Benefit IOCC
- May 5 – Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh Marathon Race to Respond with TEAM IOCC
- July 11 – Grand Rapids, MI: 5K Walk/Run to Benefit IOCC
Stay Connected to IOCC Online!
Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and our Blog to keep up to date with IOCC news, view event photos, and get a firsthand look at how your support is changing lives around the world.
