The 13th National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon was held this past December at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Old Greenwich, CT, with more than 650 attendees from throughout the United States. The event entitled “Let Us Rejoice and Embrace the Children,” was organized by the National Philoptochos and the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos under the patronage of Archbishop Demetrios of America and Bishop Andonios of Phasiane.
The Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon unites supporters from across the United States every two years to raise funds for critically ill children. At the luncheon, National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas and Luncheon Chairman Maria Skiadas presented donations totaling $204,456 to the following 15 area hospitals and research programs: Arts For Healing, New Canaan, CT; Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC; Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, NY; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; Incurable Illness Foundation, Brooklyn, NY; Kids in Crisis, Cos Cob, CT; Lea’s Foundation for Leukemia Research, Inc., Hartford, CT; Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY; New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY; New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY; New York University Hospitals Center, New York, NY; Port Washington Special Education PTA (SEPTA), Port Washington, NY; Queens Children’s Psychiatric Center, Bellerose, NY; ROSSCO Stamford School Community Organization, Inc., Stamford, CT; St. Mary’s Hospital for Children, Bayside, NY.
The Luncheon program featured special greetings and blessings conveyed by Bishop Andonios on behalf of Archbishop Demetrios who was unable to attend; dynamic presentations by President Aphrodite Skeadas; profound words from Guest Speaker, Dr. George Coukos, Professor of the Perelman School at the University of Pennsylvania; stirring remarks from Evangeline Mekras Scurtis, Luncheon Honoree; and moving testimony from Katina Brountzas and Andrew Kahan, parents whose children have been assisted at the area hospitals.
Children brightened the program with musical performances by the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Youth Choir under the direction Ms. Maria Koleva. Ms. Andrea Tantaros, Fox News Anchor and host of The Five, served as Master of Ceremonies with charm, humor and grace as she aptly guided the luncheon program.
President Skeadas presented the National Philoptochos Society ARISTA Award in memory of Mardene Morykwas for her outstanding and generous philanthropic support to the Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon. Dr. Angeline Pappas of the Church of Our Saviour, Rye, NY, accepted the award on behalf of her late niece.
According to President Skeadas, “this year’s luncheon takes place during the Nativity season in which the Birth of Jesus is celebrated. The culmination of today’s event forms part of the larger mosaic of giving in this period of Holy Christmas.” She offered special gratitude to the Luncheon General Chairman and Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos President, Maria Skiadas, and the Luncheon Co-Chairmen, Stella Fiorentino, Lily Katos and Stella Pantelidis as well as the entire Luncheon Committee from throughout the country. She also thanked the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos for hosting the event. The District distributed 500 new Christmas toys and gifts to children in need thanks to the generosity of the guests who brought gifts to ‘honor the children’.
In his closing remarks Bishop Andonios extended congratulations to Philoptochos on behalf of Archbishop Demetrios for their exemplary philanthropic work in the field of medicine. His Grace thanked all the benefactors, sponsors and Philoptochos Chapters and members nationwide and reemphasized the importance of this unique luncheon and the mission of the organizations to support the health and well-being of all children.
The Children’s Medical Fund has made a positive difference in the lives of children in the United States and Ethiopia by donating approximately $2.2 Million to medical programs and facilities that offer care, treatment, innovative research and cures. This was accomplished through the generosity of the 485 Chapters nationwide and generous contributors. In addition, National Philoptochos provides vital support for critically ill children whose families are unable to afford appropriate and necessary medical treatment as well as ongoing assistance to medically fragile children. The Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon was established in 1989.
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society has provided charitable and philanthropic assistance within the Greek Orthodox Community and the community at large for the past eighty years. From January 2002 to December 2010 Philoptochos distributed $12,739Million to its many philanthropic ministries and programs. To learn more about the Society’s philanthropic activities the website is www.philoptochos.org.
Checks, made payable to “National Philoptochos Society”, earmarked for the Children’s Medical Fund, are accepted throughout the year, as the work in helping people in need never stops. All donations must me sent to: National Philoptochos Society, 7 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019.
