Major Philoptochos Report
Report on the October 1st Meeting – by Janet Kamataris
Thank you to all 17 members for attending and participating in our membership meeting. It was very productive, and we greatly appreciate not only your time, but your thoughtful opinions and insightful comments as we prepare to enter the holiday season.
The Treasurer’s Report presented by Diana Markos, Treasurer, updated our healthy financial status to $9,733.04 in the checking account and $10,218.90 in the money market account. Barbara Tsonis brought to our attention that we should consider putting resources in a Vanguard Account for a higher rate of interest, which we will review.
Other financial items: National Philoptochos allocated $10,000 to the Red Cross for Maui. Our Board voted to send The Red Cross $500, earmarked for the people of Maui who were devastated by the fires. We also presented Ann Madore with a gift card to thank her for her years of service and dedication in supporting Fellowship Sundays.
National Philoptochos allocated $25,000. to the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to assist Greece in the face of fires and floods. They put out an urgent message for Help to support the Floods and Fires Relief Fund for the people of Greece. We voted unanimously to send the IOCC $1,000. to this dedicated fund.
A discussion ensued on whether to hold the Philoptochos Scholarship at a $1,000. per recipient or increase the amount based on today’s increased cost of living to $1,500. per recipient effective May 2024. This was the second membership meeting addressing this issue and it was voted on to increase the scholarship amount to $1,500. per recipient.
Holiday Bake Sale is Saturday, November 18th, – 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Breads must be pre-ordered, Pastry may also be pre-ordered.
The Holiday Flyer will be mailed on November 1st.
THE BAKING SCHEDULE:
PLEASE HELP – WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!
Koulourakia – 600 pieces: Thursday and Friday, October 12th and 13th
($6/bag of 6 cookies)
Finikia – 400 pieces: Thursday and Friday, October 26 and 27th,
Finikia dipping in syrup – Wednesday, November 15th
Baklava, 50 small trays, $40/tray, baking 2 large trays for individual servings at $3.50/pc
Thursday and Friday, November 2nd and 3rd
Kourambiedes – 300 pieces: Thursday and Friday, November 9th and 10th at $2.00/pc.
Bread Baking – Begins Monday, November 13th will take up to 3 days
We anticipate baking approximately 300 loaves.
Parish Hall decoration and set up, bagging breads and pastries, and creating gift boxes:
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, November 15th, 16th, and 17th.
The Christmas Flyer will be mailed on November 20th.
Sofia Haxhi has volunteered to design the 2023 Christmas Card for our fund-raising project.
A flyer will be created. Luci will mail the flyers by 11/20. The cards and the donation response will be due by 12/12. Luci will need volunteers to help stuff envelopes, a date to be determined.
Notice: the new 2024 Philoptochos Board Members We need nominations by December for Philoptochos President and Vice President positions.
The Paideia Dance hosted on Saturday, October 28th at the Elks Club, 1945 Congress St., Portland, with our very own DJ, Angelo Sotiropoulos. For Tickets, please contact:
Val Kapothanasis, 207-318-5041 or email: valkaymother@yahoo.com
or, Agathi (Aggie) Haxhi, 207-239-6914 or email: avhk21@gmail.com
Philoptochos continues to host Fellowship every third Sunday of the month.
Thank you to our members for your time, your ideas, and your continued support of the Philoptochos Mission of helping people and families in need in our own communities and around the world. Prayers for all those and their families affected by these recent tragic events.
Janet Kamataris,
Philoptochos President, 207-233-7678