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Last Night's Soup Run - Feb. 2018

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Dear Friends - 

Everyone who needed a coat or a meal received one during last night's soup run. We served 110 meals of lemon chicken, rice, vegetables and apples to our guests on 33rd Street in New York City and in Penn Station. 

We distributed 10 bins of clothing, including much-needed socks, men's and women's underwear, pants, sweaters and coats. The warm meals were received with gratitude and thanks all around. We heard comments ranging from "God bless you" to "I want to sit down and enjoy this Greek lemon chicken". One of our volunteers brought 10 new backpacks which we distributed in less than five minutes. 

We met Joanne who was pulling a heavy milk crate. When asked about the crate, she said, "It's my life." Joanne needed a coat and sneakers and we were able to provide her with both. While in Penn Station distributing meals, scarves and toiletries, we met Fr. Louis, a Catholic monk. Fr. Louis runs a 30-bed homeless shelter in the Bronx and visits Penn Station monthly to minister to the homeless. He was interested to talk with us about our monthly homeless outreach and he told us how much he loves the homeless. With an affable personality and speaking Spanish, we witnessed Fr. Louis connecting with individuals in a very personal way. Our friend Chris was happy to tell us that he is moving into his own apartment today - after five years of being homeless. He'd like to return next month to help us serve.

With much gratitude, we thank a number of supporters of the soup run: Minos Samoladas for his donation which enables us to purchase socks and underwear, this month's sponsor, Eugenia Valliades, Manny Louros and Zacharay Karounos for preparing the meals, Deb van der Heyden for the backpacks, Athena Gregory and the 8th grade Sunday School class for toiletry kits and the many volunteers who humbly share their time, talent and treasures. Our monthly homeless outreach serves so many who have so little. Thank you! Please join us next month on March 29th. For those who cannot join us in Manhattan and would like to participate, we welcome donations of sweatshirts, backpacks and tote bags which may be placed in the white bin near the church offices.

Apokreatiko Gendi

The Greek School PTA sponsored the annual Apokreatiko Gendi on Saturday evening, February 10th. The Greek School students performed many traditional dances.

Sunday Highlights: Scout Sunday

Scout Sunday 2018 was recognized at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy this morning. The troop presented Frs. Nick and Patrick with this year’s commemorative patch.

Fr. Nick concelebrates the Divine Liturgy in Buenos Aires

r. Nick concelebrated the Divine Liturgy this morning the Church of the Kimisis tis Theotokou in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is part of a pilgrimage to Argentina with Fr. Nicholas Dassouras of Norwalk, CT. The group was warmly welcomed by Metropolitan Tarasios of Buenos Aires and South America.

Sunday Highlights

"Among the first remember, Lord, our Archbishop and Father DEMETRIOS: grant him to Your holy churches in peace, safety, honor, and health, unto length of days, rightly teaching the word of Your truth."

We respectfully extend the happiest of birthday wishes to our Archbishop Demetrios on the occasion of his 90th year. Είς Πολλά Ετη Δέσποτα !

Joe Pantginis Recognized with Two Awards

Dr. Joseph Pantginis was honored today at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy with two outstanding achievement awards for his longtime participation in the Choir as well as service to Holy Trinity Church. Presenting the awards to Jospeh together with Fr. Nick and Fr. Patrick was Anna Dounelis, of the DIrect Archdiocesan District Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians. AXIOS!

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Last Night's Soup Run - January 2018

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Last Night’s Soup Run
by Despina Kartson

Happy New Year! We are thankful for the blessings that enabled us to begin 2018 serving the hungry and homeless again during Last Night's Soup Run. The 20 degree temperature forced many of our guests to stay indoors in the train stations and the set-up for Sunday’s Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden prevented us from serving at our usual spot. Instead, we relocated to our alternative location a block away where we served many of our meals. We also made several trips into Penn Station and distributed hot chili, rice and vegetables along with fleece blankets and hand knit scarves. And we sent Christian Glaser home on the subway with a box of 15 meals to distribute along the way. By the time he boarded the train, he had give out all the meals.

We talked with men and women who were cold and hungry and extremely grateful for what we gave them. They thanked us, blessed us and hugged us. How many of us walk past individuals just like them every day and would never think that they’d reach out for a hug? We connected with Keith who said he feels so much better after he talks with us. He said he feels as if the devil is on his shoulder always tempting him and we suggested that an angel is on his other shoulder guiding and protecting him. He brightened up and said he’d never thought about life that way. When we asked a man later in the evening how he liked the dinner we gave him, he said we “made his night”.

Thank you to the volunteers, supporters and sponsors of the Soup Run who include Deb van Der Heyden and the Yotides family in memory of their father Tommy Yotides. Special thanks, as always, to Manny Louros for cooking, Minos Samoladas for his donation which enabled us to purchase clothing for our men and women guests, Ana and Constantine Dimas for their donation of new coats, socks and t-shirts, Georgeann Mavrovitis for her diligence in preparing hundreds of toiletry kits, Cynthia Herzegovitch and Constance Mavrovitis for their sorting efforts, Alexandra King for knitting 25 scarves, and Andre Herzegovitch for the smoothie packs we gave to our guests to take with them for additional sustenance. Thank you to Manny’s neighbor, Mary Ellen Barbieri, who gave us 40 bags of sandwiches, chips and water that were decorated by children at the Scarsdale Community Baptist Church and packed by her Girl Scout troop! We could not provide warm food and clothing every month for the 125 needy souls without the support of the entire Holy Trinity Community, and beyond, and for that, we - and our guests - are immensely grateful.

We received the following note wishing us a Happy New Year: "Happy New Year 2018 to the ladies and men who help to make this world a better place and who is always given to those who need. May God bless you all for the good work you do. Thank you. Wishing you all a healthy and prosperous New Year. Have a bless, safe and wonderful day. With love."

Please join us on Thursday, February 22.

Apokriatiko Glendi

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Dear Parents & Friends,

On Saturday, February 10th, we will be hosting our annual Greek school fundraiser, the Apokriatiko Glendi at the VIP Country Club in New Rochelle.

(Adults $95.00/Children 13 & Under $55.00/Children 4 & Under FREE) 

If you haven't made your reservation yet, please do so. You can make your reservation at the PTA table, via email to holytrinitygspta@outlook.com or by contacting Luisa Kostalos at 646-250-1422.

This special event is our main fundraiser of the year! It brings our children, parents & teachers together to bond, have fun and build long lasting relationships outside the classroom. It also allows us to provide cultural and social events for our children. Without your support, we will not be able to provide these events.  

ALSO, PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SELL YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS!

Each family has been given 2 books of raffles to sell. If you are inspired to sell more, additional books can be obtained at the PTA table during Greek school. A free book of raffles will be rewarded to those families selling 4 books or more. 

We want to thank you in advance for your support and for being such an important part of our Greek school's success. 

Warmest Regards,

The Greek School PTA