METROPOLIS OF BOSTON PHILOPTOCHOS - President’s Report Saturday, October 28, 2023
METROPOLIS OF BOSTON PHILOPTOCHOS
President’s Report
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Your Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, Reverend Fathers, Parish Council Representatives, Philoptochos Sisters and Friends,
It is with great pleasure that I bring you greetings from the Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos Board, many of whom are in attendance this morning.
It has been an honor to serve this Board over the past four years. I believe we truly have established a spirit of collaboration among the 42 local Chapters in our beloved Metropolis, especially with the support received for the Philoptochos ministries. Our Chapters have responded so generously to the Philoxenia House, the Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Retreat Center, the Metropolis Social Services Fund which provided over $25,000.00 in financial assistance to 11 individuals/families over the past two years, and the VA Operation Housewarming Program assisting over 3,000 veterans and their families with over $8,000.00 in household items through the donations from the Chapters and Parishes. A signature effort over the past four years has been our donations of over $25,000.00 to food pantries throughout the New England area, including working with the Metropolis for the Home for Little Wanderers at Thanksgiving and, also support of Operation Classroom, a program which provides assistance to local area schools in need of supplies. Additionally, our Metropolis Philoptochos supports Hellenic College/Holy Cross, the Hellenic Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center and Holy Trinity Nursing & Rehab Center-Worcester.
We have created a working rapport with the Chapters by scheduling regular Chapter Presidents calls to discuss topics such as procedural matters and how to increase membership. Recently over 30 Chapters responded to the Sock Outreach Drive by ordering 3,000 pairs of socks to be distributed to their local communities. Last year, we hosted a fundraiser with author, Yvette Manessis Corporan who discussed her latest book, Where the Wandering Ends, and we raised over $22,000.00. As a result of these successes, we were able to present His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios with over $40,000 at the Laity Dinner June 2023 and $35,000.00 June 2022.
Today, the Metropolis Board is hosting the Biennial conference to review finances, ministry programs, the election of a new Board and an open forum discussion on what is on the minds of our Chapter members.
From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios and Chancellor Father Ted Barbas for their genuine support and guidance to me personally over the past four years. Thank you to the many Philoptochos members in our Metropolis and especially to the Metropolis Board members. We are very blessed to have so many compassionate and caring Philoptochos members who continue to respond to the mission of Philoptochos and more importantly, our Orthodox faith and traditions. God Bless our Metropolis!
With love in the Lord,
Athena Kalyvas
Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos President
