Cherry Hill, NJ. GOYA chapters from across the Philadelphia area came together this weekend to make gift baskets for America’s wounded soldiers. The 100 baskets will be delivered on Monday to the Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
On Saturday morning, about 100 members of GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth of America) gathered in the basement of St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church. Without hesitation, they went straight to work, filling baskets and shrink-wrapping gifts for the troops.
The room buzzed with activity. Kids worked in groups, chatting and laughing between tasks. They paused only for lunch before getting back to packing.
Of the 100 baskets, 25 will be shipped to Fort Gordon in Georgia to be given to families for Thanksgiving Day.
Father Pratsinakis of St. Thomas thanked the GOYAs, calling them “a flame of fire” for the speed and dedication they brought to the project. Before wrapping up, the GOYAs posed for a group photo. Just then, a late donation arrived from Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Elkins Park — a fitting final touch to a day of giving.