Outreach

PHILOPTOCHOS MISSION STATEMENT

"To aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters; to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church."
FRIENDS OF THE POOR
The word Philoptochos means "friends of the poor." The Philoptochos Society of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a chapter of this national women's organization of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which operates and/or supports various philanthropic activities and ministries.

Our parish is blessed with an active and ever-growing chapter of over 40 women of all ages, who are also friends and sisters in Christ. By combining our time, talents and treasures, we work together on various philanthropic programs to carry out the mission of Philoptochos.
  
PARISH SUPPORT
Our service begins with our own parish and includes several exciting fundraising events. Annually, these events include: Vasilopita Auction (to celebrate Epiphany), Garage Sale, and Festival of Tables Luncheon.

At the parish level, our organization is also composed of family support teams that serve our parish members with emotional and financial support, as well as providing meals during difficult times. These teams also sponsor monthly coffee hours after worship services on Sunday mornings to promote parishioner fellowship.


AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

We recently received an "Award of Excellence" in recognition of 100% participation in Philoptochos's national ministry commitments for 2010 and 2011.

INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL EFFORTS
At the international and national level, some of our parish's past projects include: earthquake relief in Greece and Turkey, financial support for an Orthodox Christian orphanage in Romania, the Support a Mission Priest Program (SAMP) through the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), St. Basil's Academy, the Autism Assistance Fund, St. Photios Shrine, the SIsterhood of St. Basil, the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) on college campuses nationwide, UNICEF, Hellenic College & Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, the Children's Cardiac Fund, and the Nativity of St. John the Baptist Women's Monastery.

DIOCESAN EFFORTS
On the diocesan level, we are part of the Denver Metropolis Philoptochos. We support: the Patriarch Athenagoras National Institute, the Bishop Anthimos Scholarship Fund, the Mission Churches Fund, the Social Services Emergency Fund, youth ministries, the Youth Endowment Fund, and more.

LOCAL EFFORTS
Locally, some of the past and current charities that we support are: the John 3:16 Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Emergency Infant Services, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Clare House, Day Center for the Homeless, Iron Gate, and Tulsa Public Schools.