West Deptford, NJ – The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) organization hosted on March 15th, 2013 it’s Second Annual Benefit Banquet. The event was sponsored by The Greater Philadelphia Committee for the IOCC.

For many years now, the IOCC has held a presence in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, but in the last 2 years it has become an officially recognized chapter. It all starting with one member, Anthony Pantazopoulos, Chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Committee of the IOCC chapter. In less than two years it has seen its membership grow to 75 and has added 19 Orthodox churches in the Delaware Valley under the Philadelphia chapter. It’s truly a remarkable accomplishment and reflects the need for this organization’s presence in this region.

Hosted at the Adelphia Restaurant in Deptford, NJ, some 250 people came out for the silent auction and banquet. Following the opening prayer by Reverend Father Emmanuel Pratsinakis (St. Thomas Greek Orthodox church in Cherry Hill, NJ), distinguished members of the IOCC (headquartered in Baltimore, MD) staff addressed the attendees. Key note speaker, IOCC Executive Director & CEO Constantine M. Triantafilou addressed the crowd, covering a broad spectrum of topics from it’s history to it’s future. He then spoke about his personal journeys and experiences working within the IOCC and how inspired he was to do this type of work. He later thanked the Philadelphia community and stressed how strong their Philadelphia chapter was to the national office.

IOCC in Brief
The IOCC is the humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. IOCC works in cooperation with the Orthodox church and on behalf of Orthodox Christians. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has provided more than $400 million in humanitarian relief, sustainable development and self-help programs to people in need. All assistance is provided solely on the basis of need, and benefits orphans, refugees and displaced persons, the elderly school children, families people with disabilities. IOCC programs have helped people in 50 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America.

International Orthodox Christian Charities (www.iocc.org)
110 West Road, Suite 360
Baltimore, MD 21204
Tel: (410) 243-9820
Fax: (410)-243-9824
Email: relief@iocc.org