2008 "Tree of Blessings" Project Announced

With Christmas Lent having already begun, the National Board is pleased to announce the 3rd annual “Tree of Blessings” Charity Project to help those in need.  While we should always do everything we can to help those less fortunate, we hope each of our chapters will join us in this special effort at this festive time.

This year's designated charity to which the proceeds will be sent is the International Orthodox Christian Charities (I.O.C.C.) for "Hurricane Ike" Relief Work in the Southern United States.  The I.O.C.C. has been working diligently to offer material, psychological and spiritual aid to those most affected by the natural disaster.  In October, I.O.C.C. delivered over $140,000 of medical and hygiene supplies to a shelter in Houston to be divided among 4 regional shelters serving more than 2000 individuals.  Since early September, I.O.C.C. has also been sending a team of Orthodox clergy known as the Frontline to American Red Cross shelters in Houston and Galveston.  The Frontline volunteers are trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (C.I.S.M.), a form of trauma counseling and evaluation.  Shelters are filled to capacity, according to American Red Cross officials who invited I.O.C.C.'s assistance.

Previous recipients of the "Tree of Blessings" collections have been St. Herman's Orthodox House of Hospitality in Cleveland, Ohio, and the "Saint Dimitrie" Addiction Treatment Program in Romania.  We hope that this year's efforts will build on those of last year and we will again be able to provide assistance to a good and worthy ministry of the Church.

Information packages have been sent to each chapter president and sales will continue through January 6.  Click here to download the promotional flyer.

If you do not have an A.R.O.Y. chapter at your parish but would like to contribute to the "Tree of Blessings" Charity Project, please send your check (payable to National A.R.O.Y.) to: A.R.O.Y. "Tree of Blessings" Project, c/o 625 Centralia St., Dearborn Heights MI 48127.

We encourage chapters to share their activities with us by sending a short article, along with a few photos, to be posted on the A.R.O.Y. Website.  [Send information to photos@aroy.org]