Standing Committees
In addition to our commitments on both the Metropolis and National level, our Holy Cross Philoptochos
Board has established 13 Standing Committees enabling us to regularly and thoroughly track the many
facets of the work of our Philoptochos Board that help make us such a caring dynamic group of Orthodox
philanthropic women:
Adopt-a-Student
Baking
Coffee and Memorials
Church and Community Service Awards
Feed the Hungry
Gifting
Listserve and Database Communications
Membership Administration
Membership Outreach
Metropolis Liaison
School Care Closet and Shoe Drive
Social Media
Sunshine
Adopt -A-Student is a Metropolis ministry that allows chapters to ‘adopt’ students who are students of
Divinity at Holy Cross Seminary or undergraduate students of Religious Studies at Hellenic College. We
have adopted 3 students Joshua Rognstad and Alex Karcher who are attending Holy Cross and Matthew
Mourad who is attending Hellenic College. We are asked to take good care of our adoptees by sending
them cards for birthday, name day and holidays, notes, gift cards and goodie care packages etc.
Diane Harris, Chair
Baking Organization is vital to our efforts to provide sweets for holidays and events and bake sales
which help us support our commitments. This committee will help to secure volunteers, timely to each
event, to that purpose.
Othonia Makris and Tula Kourtoglou, Co-Chairs
Coffee Hour/Memorials are organized and often sponsored by our Philoptochos, parish groups and
individual families. This committee is charged with setting up the guidelines and scheduling for both
coffee hour and memorials with respect to the responsibilities of the sponsors and/or organizers.
Laila Louridas and Othonia Makris, Co-Chairs
Community Service Awards are based on many criteria, especially participation in the faith and parish
life. The award is monetary and given once the worthy high school senior provides proof of college
acceptance. The application process opens in March and awards are announced each year in June.
Laura Jadelrab, Chair
Feed the Hungry is a National and Metropolis ministry. Volunteers gather most Saturday mornings to
make sandwiches for a variety of shelters in our area, like Maple Street.
Emmy Denton, Chair
Gifting is very special to our Philoptochos. We enjoy providing gift bags to new mothers upon churching
their babies. We also love to show our appreciation to our Holy Cross Maintenance staff during the
holidays etc.
Christine Longinidis and Stella Chronis, Co-chairs
Listserv/Database was created to keep Holy Cross Philoptochos members informed with
National/Metropolis news, membership information and upcoming Holy Cross Board events.
Nina Azar, Chair
Membership Admin is essential to tracking dues, filing forms, ensuring timely membership commitment
payments to both National and Metropolis.
Cathy Zamenes, Chair
Membership Outreach will help us grow our Holy Cross Philoptochos membership and ensure its vitality
for many years to come by scouting the young adults, Mom’s club, Dance Groups, AORA etc for new
members. A membership directory is maintained and distributed to Board members.
Helene Nemchik and Christine Hopkins, Co-Chairs
Metropolis Liaison creates a link to the Metropolis Board’s news. Mary Peros is elected to that Board.
Mary Peros, Metropolis Recording Secretary
School CARE Closet /Shoe Drive supports the personal needs of grade school children in San Mateo
County. The Shoe Drive also provides students new sneakers. We coordinate with Gina Jonhstone since
she teaches at a county school.
Nina Azar and Hana Keilo, Co-Chairs
Social Media will give our Holy Cross Philoptochos a technological presence that will not only keep our
members informed but share and celebrate our important philanthropic work with a huge audience, It has
the potential to help us to bring on new members as well. This committee will create and maintain a
dedicated Holy Cross Philoptochos website. It can be accessed on the Holy Cross Church main webpage
and links to our Philoptochos Facebook page. Other exciting innovations are in the making!
Kristen Azar, Chair
Sunshine helps us to offer our parishioners a card or flowers in times of both happiness and
sadness…..celebrations, sickness and death.
Mary Bazigos, Chair
Philoptochos Event Calendar 2021-2022
| Date |
Event |
Chair |
| Monday, September 13, 2021 |
Holy Cross Nameday Vespers Reception |
Nina Azar/Helene Nemchik, Chairs |
| Tuesday, September 14, 2021 |
Holy Cross Nameday Luncheon |
Christine Longinidis/Irene Pappas |
| Sunday, November 7, 2021 |
Cosmos/Damianos Collection (Patriarchate) |
TBD Chair |
| Sunday, December 12, 2021 |
Christmas Tea |
Nina Azar, Chair |
| Sunday, January 9, 2022 |
Vasilopita Luncheon |
Laura Jadelrab and Hana Keilo, Co-Chairs |
| Sunday, February 13, 2022 |
Kids'n'Cancer Reception |
Mary Peros, Chair |
| Saturday, February 26, 2022 (Tentative) |
Kids'n'Cancer Speaker Series |
Christine Hopkins, Chair |
| Saturday, March 12 2022 (Tentative) |
Membership Tea/Women Health Speaker Series |
Christine Hopkins, Chair |
| Sunday, April 17, 2022 |
Epitaphios Collection |
TBD Chair |
| Friday, April 22, 2022 |
Decorate Epitaphios |
TBD Chair |
| Saturday, May 14, 2022 |
Fashion Show |
Helene Nemchik, Chair |
| Sunday, May 29, 2022 |
Sunday School/Community Service Awards |
Laura Jadelrab, Chair |
| Sunday, June 19, 2022 |
Father's Day Sandwiches and/or Pies |
TBD Chair |