IOCC announces 20th anniversary celebration in May 2012
International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC], the global humanitarian relief organization of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, will celebrate two decades of philanthropic service at a Washington, DC spring gala gathering of “who’s who” from IOCC’s past, present and future.
IOCC 20th Anniversary Gala will take place the evening of May 8, 2012 to celebrate its milestone with the theme, “Respond. Rebuild. Uplift.” The Honorable Paul Sarbanes, former US Senator of Maryland, and the Honorable Andrew Natsios, former administrator of the US Agency for International Development, will serve as honorary chairmen of the gala. Under the leadership of IOCC Board Trustee and Event Chairman, John Sitilides, IOCC is assembling an unprecedented lineup of key personalities to represent the organization’s beginnings, current efforts and forward plans as well as to participate in a special presentation of the inaugural Compassion at Work award.
The gala festivities will begin with an afternoon congressional reception hosted by Orthodox Christian members of Congress at the US Capitol building, followed by a VIP cocktail reception and banquet dinner at the Capital Hilton Hotel.
The inaugural Compassion at Work award will also be introduced at the 20th Anniversary Gala dinner. The humanitarian award recognizes extraordinary support for IOCC’s mission.
“The gala will also afford Orthodox Christians throughout the United States multiple sponsorship opportunities in support of IOCC’s ongoing mission,” says Sitilides, “to provide emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthen the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so respond.”
Since 1992, IOCC has worked throughout the world to deliver more than $370 million in emergency aid and development assistance to families in more than 40 countries. IOCC enjoys an exceptional record of stewardship, with 92% of all resources directly reaching those in need, through programs such as health kits and education for war refugees, agricultural development for sustainable food supplies, vocational training and diseases awareness programs, and medical, hospital and pharmaceutical deliveries for the ailing. IOCC is a member of InterAction, a coalition of US based non-governmental organizations that carry out humanitarian assistance programs overseas, and the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and relief agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.