“This rain never stopped me today from walking to Chruch. So much thanks to Constance Mavrovitis for the gift of this wonderful umbrella from the Philoptochos ladies at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.”
by Despina Kartson
The warm summer night, the compassion expressed by our volunteers and the gratitude from our guests made for a beautiful Soup Run last night. We distributed 116 meals to those waiting for us on 33rd Street and to a very appreciative group at a nearby Drop-In Center.
We served chicken, rice and vegetables along with granola bars, oranges, cold bottles of water and coffee. Our guests thanked us and enjoyed their meals while chatting with our volunteers and others. The street was packed with trucks for a concert at Madison Square Garden but we managed to squeeze cars into spaces that our friends from a church in Harlem saved for us.
Every month during the Soup Run, we meet new and interesting guests, re-connect with those we have come to know well and we are pleasantly surprised by the thoughtfulness of others. Last night, a woman to whom we had given a pair of sneakers during the July Soup run, brought them back to us. The sneakers didn't fit her and she wanted to return them so that we could help someone else. She lives in a small room in a homeless shelter with three other women. We also talked with Joe and gave him a backpack that he requested last month. Sheila Sessoms and the parishioners of New Bethel Way of the Cross Church prepared 27 tote bags packed with men's tee shirts, underwear and hygiene products. They previously prepared similar bags for women, promising to return with bags for men - and they did. Four employees of Bombas Socks distributed 150 pairs of socks in just a few minutes. The night ended with James playing Beatles music and patriotic songs on a melodica!
Thank you to the donors, supporters and volunteers of the monthly Soup Run. This month, we express gratitude to our supporters from Westchester County, NY and New York City:
AHEPA Evzone Chapter 405 for their sponsorship
Manny Louros and Zachary Karounos for cooking and Basil Apostle for packing the meals
Minos Samoladas for his generous donation which enabled us to purchase clothing
Melina Morris and Bombas (https://bombas.com/) for socks
Sheila Sessoms and the parishioners from New Bethel Way of the Cross Church (NYC) for 27 tote bags filled with men's underwear and hygiene products
Deb van der Heyden for women's clothing
Helen Hiotakis and Sappho Papaioannu for men's tee shirts and tote bags
May Vlachos (St. George NYC) for preparing the Mental Health Clinic guide and including the Soup Run dates
Constance Mavrovitis and Cynthia Herzegovitch for organizing the clothing
Georgeann Mavrovitis and Loredana Soravito Curtis for preparing the toiletry kits
Remember those who are hungry and lack sufficient housing. We look forward to you joining us next month on August 29. It is a joyful experience and all are welcome.
Fr. Nick visited with our campers attending this session of Camp Saint Paul in Litchfield, CT. In addition to several campers, Holy Trinity is also represented by young adults serving as summer camp counselors. Fr. Nick enjoyed an afternoon of fun and fellowship with our campers!
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided at Vesper services at our neighboring parish in Yonkers - on the eve of the Feast of the Profit Elias. ”O Prophet and foreseer of the great works of God, O greatly renowned Elias (Elijah), who by your word held back the clouds of rain, intercede for us to the only Loving One”.
George S. Latimer, County Executive of Westchester County, visited Holy Trinity this morning and addressed the LIRIC (Learning in Retirement at Iona College) organization that meets frequently in our social hall. Mr Latimer also met with Fr. Nick during his visit to the church. We thank Ira Weinberg for the photos.
On this day - July 7th - we remember the 47th anniversary of the falling asleep of Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras of Constantinople. He was the former Archbishop of (then) North and South America from 1930 to 1948. He left our Archdiocese with many legacies - Holy Cross School of Theology, Saint Basil’s Academy, the founding of the National Philoptochos, as well as the purchase of our Archdiocesan headquarters on E. 79th Street in Manhattan. May the memory of this great hierarch be forever eternal.
The Senior Choir sang their final Liturgy this morning as they will recess for the summer months. God bless our Choir director, Helen Hiotakis and all of the Choir members for their dedicated service to our community.
by Despina Kartson
On a hot, sticky evening in New York City, a large crowd awaited our caravan of cars and more than 25 volunteers as we turned onto 33rd Street to serve 110 meals during Last Night's Soup Run. Anticipating our arrival, some of our guests helped unload bins and set up tables while others patiently stood in line. We served spaghetti with meat sauce, vegetables, oranges, water, juice and coffee.
We met new guests and talked with some of our "regulars" who expressed their gratitude for our food and clothing. One man talked about the beauty of caring for one another no matter the race or ethnicity. He told us how much our monthly outreach is appreciated and that those guests who have come to know us will always look out for our safety on the streets.
Last night, we had an extraordinary outpouring of generosity from our volunteers. Melina Morris of Bombas Socks distributed 250 pairs of socks. Bombas donates a pair of socks for every pair purchased. Zoe MacMahon distributed 54 backpacks and tote bags that she collected from students at her high school.
At the end of the evening when all of our food and clothing had been distributed, we walked to a homeless drop-in center on 31st Street and distributed 75 sandwiches that were made by Kathryn Papataros. The drop-in center opens its doors at 9 p.m. every night for homeless to sleep on folding chairs. It does not provide food. The supervisor of the center announced to those inside that our group was distributing sandwiches. Immediately, we were surrounded by a crowd and we gave out the sandwiches.
Without the support of our generous donors and volunteers, we would never be able to help feed and clothe those whom we do every month. This month, we express gratitude to our supporters from Westchester County, NY; New York City; Queens; Long Island and Connecticut:
Diane Louros for her sponsorship and clothing donations
Manny Louros and Zachary Karounos for cooking and Basil Apostle for packing the meals
Kathryn Papataros for 75 sandwiches
Minos Samoladas for his generous donation which enabled us to purchase clothing
Bombas (https://bombas.com/) for donating 250 pairs of socks and to Melina Morris for joining the Soup Run
Zoe McMahon for 54 backpacks and tote bags
The Legal Marketing Association for 35 tote bags
Maria Dikeos, Irene Drivas, Tina DiMino, Kevin & Christina White for clothing, toiletries and shoes
Koula Paloungos and the Martinez family for 25 pairs sneakers
May Vlachos (St. George NYC) for preparing the Mental Health Clinic guide and including the Soup Run dates
Constance Mavrovitis and Cynthia Herzegovitch for organizing the clothing
Georgeann Mavrovitis and Loredana Soravito Curtis for preparing the toiletry kits
Keep those who are hungry and homeless in your minds, hearts and prayers. Give what you can, when you can, and join us next month on July 25.
