Dayton Philoptochos-Soteria Chapter- Greek Orthodox Church, Dayton, Ohio

02/15/2026

SUNDAY, FEB 22ND
We will be selling a wide variety of gently used books and board games for adults and children
Proceeds support the annual
DAYTON DAY OF CARING 365
The mission of the Day of Caring, a city wide event, is to increase awareness and involvement toward the national plight of hunger and homelessness. All donations will be distributed to the local community through the local food banks and the Emergency Housing Coalition.
Monetary donations can be placed in the
Red Box in the Community Center Lobby or mailed to the CCM Treasurer Cindy Keilholz ( check your directory)
Please make checks out to Philoptochos - write Day of Caring in the memo space

02/15/2026

UPCOMING CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
THURSDAYS: FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 26, 2026
PHILOPTOCHOS FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
FOR ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS NATIONWIDE
Are you caring for a spouse, a parent, an in-law, or other loved one of any age who has Alzheimer’s or a chronic or life-threatening illness or disability?

Are you a male trying to navigate the challenges of caregiving?

Are you in the sandwich generation, raising a child while also caring for a parent?

• Are you exhausted, stressed, feeling angry and then feeling guilty about getting angry?
• Do you wish there were others with whom to share your thoughts, concerns, and questions, and who understands our faith,
culture, and community?
• Are you so overwhelmed you’re not even sure
what questions to ask?
If you answered yes to any of the above, join the
PHILOPTOCHOS CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Led by professionals, we will “meet” over Zoom on six consecutive Thursday evenings from 7 pm – 8 pm EST. In a confidential, non-judgmental, and safe environment, we will discuss best practices to help you manage the physical, emotional, and cognitive issues faced by your loved one and to help you find and access resources to help ease your caregiving journey.
We will discuss the importance of self-care, managing your own roller-coaster emotions, the impact of family dynamics on caregiving, long-distance and holiday caregiving, financial concerns, and preparing for the future.
One session, led by a member of the clergy, will address how faith, culture, and spirituality can help build your understanding, strength, and resilience.

Six consecutive Thursday evenings | FEBRUARY 19 to MARCH 26 2026 February 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19, 26
7pm – 8pm EST

Pre-registration is Required.
Pre-register here: https://forms.gle/kP8Li3ir1vqipqGp8

Space is limited - Don’t delay!
Sponsored by:
Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. • Department of Social Services
126 East 37th Street • NY, NY 10016 • (212) 977-7770 • www.philoptochos.org
[email protected]

Discover our mission to promote charitable outreach, preserve life and family sanctity, and uphold Orthodox faith and traditions.

02/15/2026

Good Afternoon Ladies,

Attached is a flyer regarding a 6 part zoom series for individuals who are in caregiver roles in need of support. The series is offered by National Philoptochos. Each session offers ways to cope with the challenge of being a full time caregiver. You must sign up to participate. All the details are in the flyer. This series is open to everyone, not just Philoptochos members, so please share the flyer with people you feel could benefit. Check you Philoptochos mail

We have an appeal from Pia Kanistros to collect old newspapers for 4 Paws for Ability. The organization is in need of newspapers to line the cages of the puppies. 4 Paws trains service dogs and you may recall Madison Argue recently trained a service dog that was picked up by an Orthodox priest from out of state for his disabled sons. Please bring your old newspapers (no other types of paper please) to the next membership meeting on March 5 at 10am. If you cannot come to the meeting and want to donate newspapers, contact me at [email protected] and I will arrange a pick up.

Sunday February 22nd is the Philoptochos used book and game sale. Thank you to all who made donations. We have a wonderful selection to sell. Plan to attend the sale and be ready to purchase some new books and games for yourself or your family. Thank you to Ameilia Jamie, Evanthia Valassiades, Chairs and to the Philoptochos volunteers for all your hard work on organizing the sale. Proceeds benefit the annual Dayton Day of Caring 365 that provides funding for food banks and organizations that serve the homeless. From Nikki Burns

01/05/2026

Deadline is Jan. 18, 2026 Contact Nikki Burns

01/05/2026

Attention Deadline January 18, 2026
Dear Readers!
Some of you have mentioned that you are saddened that the reflections in Father Stavros’ book, Let All Creation Rejoice, will come to an end on January 7. It is amazing, but we will soon begin the preparation of Pascha through his book, The Road Back to Christ. Did you make the connection that the author of the two books we were gifted by AIF is Father Stavros Akrotirianakis - the same speaker AIF is funding to speak on January 30 and 31st. He is coming from his church, St. John the Baptist, in Tampa, Florida, to prepare us for our Pre-Lenten Journey to Pascha. Don’t miss a Spiritual weekend of inspiration and fellowship. This is truly an event to uplift your soul! Click on the link below to make your complimentary reservation for one or all of his sessions( check bulletin). Don’t delay. See the flyer for more details. We are inviting our Sister parishes to this event and we anticipate a hearty welcome from our Dayton Annunciation Parish. If you have already made your reservation, please encourage a friend or two to join you in your journey.

Kathy Spyrou, Renee Nicholas, Harriet Argue, Katina Tsatalis
If you have any questions, contact Nikki Burns. The deadline for reservations is January 18, 2026.

12/31/2025

Philoptochos Members,

I hope your Christmas was wonderful, filled with love, family and friends. 2026 is right around the corner!! Here are a few reminders for the New Year!
Reservations for the January 30-31
Pre-Lenten Retreat to Pascha
with Father Stavros Akrotirianakis

Reservations to attend the retreat lead by Father Stavros Akrotirianakis January 30-31 can be made during coffee hour or by completing this online reservation form. Reservations are required for each session you plan to attend. Philoptochos is hosting the retreat and we are hoping to see many of our members attend. The Friday Morning session is a special session for women only with lunch provided. Father Stavro's message will come from his book The Heart of Encouragement: 176 Ways to Build You Up and Empower You to Build Up Others. Details about the retreat are in the attached flyer. You do not need to complete the reservation form if you have already signed up. If you have any questions, contact Nikki Burns. The deadline for reservations is January 18, 2026.

2026 ANNUAL DUES
Your $30 annual dues can be paid at the January 8th membership meeting or by mailing to Kathy Spyrou Membership Chair or depositing in the Membership box in the Community Center. Please put 2026 membership dues in the memo line of your check. Our goal is to have all dues paid by the end of January.

CCM YEARLY DONATIONS
An easy way to make donations to our Community Care Ministry fundraisers is to write one check for the entire 2026. Your donation will be divided equally between the eight charities. Make the check out to Philoptochos and put “CCM yearly donation” in the memo line. Cindy Keilholz, CCM Treasurer will collect your checks at the January 8 meeting, or you can mail them to her.

SPEAKING OF CCM, we are still in need of members to chair fundraisers in April and July. Contact Renee Nicholas or Suzanne Zonars-Hambrick for more information. If you are new to Philoptochos this is a great way to raise money for a charity and get to know people. Renee and Suzanne will guide you through the entire process.
Have a wonderful day! Nikki Burns

08/21/2025

Enjoy this wonderful story published by the Echoing Hills organization about Rita, Michael and Nicholas Ronayne following our $12,000 donation to Echoing University. The story was printed in their newsletter and posted on their FaceBook, X and Instagram pages. I submitted the story to National and Metropolis Philoptochos for consideration of publication. Beautiful story Nikki

https://ehvi.org/a-mothers-journey-of-hope-faith-and-growth/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMS2OBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHk09Hz8JYii2E1kSJsRR__wd6CrO7-ktbp4dLughRZpkIcyDv464oZdLQC2L_aem_GwMUMwWMuvZzksLlJ1967A

A Mother’s Journey of Hope, Faith, and Growth: Rita’s Story Rita’s story is one shaped by love, resilience, and the quiet power of community. As the mother of three sons, […]

06/15/2025

Induction of New Officers and Board of Directors 2025-2026 Philoptochos Soteria Chapter Dayton, Ohio

06/12/2025

Good grief it is June already! It's time to buy Crayons to Classroom supplies in support of the June CCM. Most people do not know how many supplies teachers purchase on their own to make sure a child never goes without. I know teachers who keep clothing and shoes in the trunk of their cars, pay for lessons and athletic fees, buy meals and so much more. Crayons to Classroom is an organization that helps teachers make sure no child is left without by providing supplies free of charge to at-risk schools. There is a bin in the Community Center lobby all through June. We have many teachers past and present in our parish. Your donation might help a teacher in our parishes' school. Let's load the bin just like you are loading a school bus!!! The attached flyer gives the list of needed supplies. Leah Derksen and Ariana Milanese, chairs.

Welcome to Christina Stiakakis our new Sunshine Chair🌞🌞🌞🌞 She is taking over for Chris Makaritis. We wish Chris all the best and thank her for doing such a wonderful job with her beautiful handmade cards. If you know someone who could use some cheer or support, notify me or Christina.
Nikki

06/09/2025

06/02/2025

The June CCM is Crayons to Classroom chaired by Leah Derksen and Ariana Milanese. This is a National Philoptochos initiative. The Dayton organization's mission is to provide school supplies to at-risk children by distributing supplies to teachers at no cost through their store. They serve a 7 county area. This year Philoptochos is holding a school supply drive. A bin will be in the Community Center lobby throughout June. Attached is a list of needed items. They are in great need of #2 pencils and non toxic washable markers. You can also make a monetary donation mailed to CCM Treasurer Cindy Keilholz ( send to address in directory) or place your donation in the Red Box. Put June CCM in the memo line. (thought I would add a few colors from the crayola box🤓). Thank you for your support of this wonderful and important charity.

Enjoy your first days of June.
Nikki Burns