Chapter Corner
Highlights from Metropolis of Boston Chapters
Annunciation Cathedral, Boston, MA: The Philoptochos Chapter of the Annunciation Cathedral in Boston, led by President Aglaia Georgountzos, held a blanket and sock drive for Safe Haven, an operation for homeless children. In March this chapter made a visit to the Hellenic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Canton, MA, where they visited with the residents and kept them company, and provided them with new socks. This chapter, being the Cathedral in Boston of His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, hosts special receptions year-round for the many events for His Eminence and the elected officials and dignitaries visiting Boston. Also, being so close to many Boston schools, this chapter also regularly hosts OCF events and welcomes Orthodox college students to the Cathedral.
During the 2024 holiday season the Annunciation chapter donated coats and toys for children who are served by The Dimock Center. In addition, the chapter voted to donate $1,000 in gift cards from proceeds of its annual St. Nicholas luncheon fundraiser to ensure that each child served by The Dimock Center had a gift to open on Christmas morning. The donations will be distributed to the more than 100 children from infants up to age 5 who are served by The Dimock Center's early intervention, Head Start, and preschool programs. Located less than two miles from the Cathedral, The Dimock Center is a 9-acre campus based in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood that provides health and support services to children, adults, and families.
Arlington, MA: The St. Athanasios chapter of Arlington, MA, led by President Annette Tsitsopoulos, held a Dignity Bags drive to collect women’s hygiene products and placed in tote bags or gently-used handbags for HELPIS, a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization that connects charitable organizations with people in need.
Brockton, MA: The Annunciation chapter of Brockton, led by President Kathy Malone, has been promoting several initiatives this past year: They gave $350 each month to feed 30 children in western Kenya; they gave gifts cards to schools for Target and Market Basket grocery store; they gave to My Brother’s Keeper, and they gave to Cradles to Crayons in Boston, an organization in Boston that supports children in need with clothing, shoes, diapers, and school supplies.
Burlington, VT: The Dormition chapter in Burlington, VT, led by President Theodora Contis, is a small chapter doing big works. This past year one of their many efforts was to hold a hat, glove, coat, and sock drive, in addition to the Metropolis Philoptochos sock ministry, to help the refugees and homeless who live in the bitter cold of Vermont stay warm.
Dartmouth, MA: The St. George chapter, led by President Connie Bebis, held a new initiative to bring joy to chemotherapy patients. The Philoptochos members bought supplies and created floral bud vases with silk flowers which they then distributed. This chapter also held a mobile ministry of giving of gently worn jackets and boots to local homeless shelters. This chapter also gave fuel assistance to families in need to get them through the cold New England winters.
Peabody, MA: The St. Vasilios chapter in Peabody, led by President Stacey Yavorski, holds their meetings on Sunday afternoons so they can have better attendance. They supported Haven for Hunger, held a blanket drive, raised supplies for the Operation Classroom list, held an act of kindness campaign, and offered an annual Greek Independence Day luncheon.
Portsmouth, NH: The St. Nicholas chapter, led by President Janice Kanteres, has approximately 80 members. This chapter holds regular drives to collect supplies for a haven for domestic violence victims. The head of the shelter came to the parish to express their appreciation and to share their mission. This chapter also holds two social/fellowship events for the community each year: Happy Hour and Paint and Sip. They cook for the community, believing in building community by “breaking bread” together.
Somerville, MA: The Dormition chapter in Somerville, led by President Domenica Karavitaki, holds a Family Table event three times a year, where they cook for community members. They also support a music ministry in their parish and support an annual Christmas concert. They are also working to increase the number of young people in their parish and their Philoptochos by taking the time to explain the mission of Philoptochos. This past year, they held a joint event with GOYA where they raised $500 to renew the bedding at the Philoxenia House.
Springfield, MA: The St. George chapter, led by President Yvonne Kintgios, collected car seats and onesies for newborns of homeless families. They also purchased 50 books, and also snacks, and provided them to local schools where the majority of children are from low-income families. This chapter also held a Lenten Luncheon with a speaker from Ancient Faith.
Weston, MA: In February 2024 the St. Demetrios chapter, led by President Kathy Damaskos, held a Valentine’s diaper/wipes drive jointly with the Church School. Philoptochos members and families contributed diapers and wipes to a local shelter in nearby Natick, MA. In April 2024 this chapter also held a Lenten Retreat at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH. The theme was, “The Lord’s Prayer.”
