NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has established the "Relief Fund for the People of Greece" to help provide economic assistance to the suffering people in Greece.

In order to facilitate donations, the Archdiocese has established a web page – http://www.goarch.org/special/greekrelief – to accept contributions online, through facebook, by an SMS text message and of course by traditional checks.
To support the Greek Relief Fund, you may make a donation in any one of the following ways:
1) Donate Online through JustGive.org - Make a secure online donation through our partner JustGive.org.
2) Donate via Causes through Facebook - Make a secure online donation through the Facebook cause 'Relief Fund for the People of Greece'
3) Donate via SMS / Text Message on your Mobile Phone through mGive - Donate $10 by simply texting "GREECE" to 27722. The amount of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill/deducted from your prepaid account. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Full Terms: mGive.org/T | Privacy Policy
4) Traditional Check - Contributions may be sent via check to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 and earmarked for the Relief Fund for the People of Greece
All methods listed above allow for your donation to go directly to The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, a U.S. IRS approved 501(c)(3) non profit organization.

NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios of America issued an appeal today for immediate economic assistance to the suffering people in Greece, through a special Encyclical he sent on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod to the clergy, the parishes, the schools, the Philoptochos, Youth and affiliated organizations and to the Greek Orthodox Family in America.
In his Encyclical Archbishop Demetrios states: “The financial crisis that has rocked Europe and deeply affected Greece has reached proportions where the suffering of innocents and the ordeal of common people cry out for urgent and substantive help.  So many of our families have roots in Greece and many of us have relatives and friends who are now experiencing privation unknown in that country since the time of the harsh occupation of the Second World War.”

Feb 15, 2012
Protocol No. 28/12
February 15, 2012

For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink
Matthew 25:35 – Judgment Sunday

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Council of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Day, Afternoon and the Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod of our Holy Archdiocese of America, I am writing to you, the faithful members of our Holy Orthodox Church here in the United States, this heartfelt appeal for our brothers and sisters in Greece. The financial crisis that has rocked Europe and deeply affected Greece has reached proportions where the suffering of innocents and the ordeal of common people cry out for urgent and substantive help.  So many of our families have roots in Greece and many of us have relatives and friends who are now experiencing privation unknown in that country since the time of the harsh occupation of the Second World War.
Cognizant of this harsh reality, we must respond by offering real and tangible assistance to our brethren through trusted Church affiliated humanitarian and philanthropic agencies which will directly assist those most in need.  Therefore, as the time of Great Lent approaches, when we are called by the Church to a greater consciousness of the needs of our fellow human beings, I hope that every Christian will generously respond to this special appeal by making a donation to the Relief Fund for the People of Greece of the Archdiocese.
With paternal blessing and prayers for you and your beloved families, that this Lenten Season may be even more spiritually rewarding to you because of your love and generosity, I remain,

With paternal love,

+ D E M E T R I O S
Archbishop of America

NEW YORK – National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas on January 17, 2012 issued an immediate appeal to all Philoptochos Presidents, members nationwide and their respective communities to support a drive for the welfare of the people of Greece.

President Skeadas stated, “We enter 2012 mindful of the dire economic circumstances and supreme hardships faced by our brothers and sisters in economically ravaged Greece, our ancestral homeland. We cannot and will not turn our backs to the needs of our people.”

Daily news reports document widespread poverty in Greece where many parents can no longer afford to provide adequate food and warm winter clothing for their children while other parents are forced to abandon their children in orphanages. People struggle to exist with less income as unemployment continues to rise. For all too many, hope disintegrates into depression. These tragedies affect young and old, families, and most importantly, the children who have had their dreams and futures taken away.

National Philoptochos will provide a measured and deliberate response that addresses concrete social needs to alleviate hunger and homelessness, to strengthen family and children’s services and to ensure that families remain united. National Philoptochos Social Worker Paulette Geanacopoulos leads a team to identify appropriate nonprofit, non-governmental and religious organizations with which Philoptochos can partner to ensure maximum impact.  Philoptochos will make every effort to ensure transparency and accountability regarding utilization of its contributions.

Philoptochos Sisters are urged to unite in love to help those in need. Immediate aid is imperative and Chapters are asked to contribute generously to this unique appeal for the welfare of our fellow Greek Orthodox Hellenes. With the support of all members, National Philoptochos will offer life-changing and life-saving relief to help our brothers and sisters rebuild their lives at this critical time.

Donations marked ‘Welfare of the People of Greece” may be sent to:
National Philoptochos, 7 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019.
To make online donations go to www.philoptochos.org
For more information: Christine Karavites, National Public Relations,  508.982.4276