Diane Miminos' 2008 Report to the National Philoptochos Board
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos Board
Diane Miminos, President
It is an honor to bring you the greetings from the Philoptochos chapters in the Metropolis of Boston coming from the states of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Our chapter members are very committed to the mission and projects of Philoptochos. They continually look for innovative ways to expand their philanthropic programs and embrace those in need with warm and loving hearts. In November of 2006, the Metropolis Philoptochos’ successful gala luncheon, The Age of Philoptochos – a Tribute to Women, celebrated the fifty year history of the Metropolis Philoptochos. Several outstanding women were honored during the luncheon that raised $130,000 for our ministries. We were honored to have National President Georgia Skeadas with us for this historic and memorable event. A Chapter Officers Workshop held at the Metropolis Center in November 2007, that was both informative and interactive, addressed the issue of membership that is at the forefront of concern to all chapters. Our Metropolis Board makes an effort to offer its support to all of the chapters, both large and small, and we look forward to attending chapter meetings and events as a means to further strengthen the bond of our sisterhood. The Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos has three projects generously supported by our chapters. The Philoxenia House, a haven for individuals and families who come to Boston seeking medical treatment at various area hospitals, is filled regularly with volunteers who bring food, provide transportation to appointments, and take on major projects such as renovating bedrooms and bathrooms. The Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Center located in Contoocook, New Hampshire, is home to the summer and winter camp programs for our youth, and a center for conferences and retreats. In September of each year, the Metropolis faithful join His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios for Divine Liturgy in the chapel and an afternoon of fellowship. A third commitment, the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards (FOS) program was added at the Metropolis Biennial Convention that was held in Weston, Massachusetts, in June of 2007. The FOS program supports the ministries of the Metropolis, including Greek and religious education, marriage seminars, scholarships and youth programs. The Metropolis Philoptochos hosts the St. Andrew and St. Methodios Vesper Receptions, as well as the Metropolis Oratorical Festival. Financial support is given to the two nursing homes that are home to our elderly orthodox residents, one in Canton and the other in Worcester, Massachusetts. Community outreach to the Pine Street Inn, a shelter for the homeless in Boston, continues with our board members cooking and serving meals for the women’s division. We have recently embraced another project, hopeFound, a facility in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts that provides addiction treatment, employment counseling and housing to over 3,500 men and women annually. We are blessed with the spiritual guidance of His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios and are thankful for his love and support of the Philoptochos ministry.
