Leadership 100 Partners Day of Service Marks 50th Anniversary of Selma Marches

The Leadership 100 Partners Day of Service was held as a multi-city event on Sunday, March 22nd at participating Greek Orthodox parishes after liturgy, in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the participation of Archbishop Iakovos of Blessed Memory in  the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights Marches.  Leadership 100 members demonstrated that they give back to the community not only through financial contributions but also with their time and service.

Justin Bozonelis and George Soterakis, Co-Chairmen of Leadership 100 Partners and members of the Leadership 100 Board of Trustees, reported that local Leadership 100 member volunteers helped coordinate a day of community service to help assemble International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) emergency health kits. The kits will be sent to impoverished areas outside the United States.

Inaugural participating parishes included the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, Saint Nicholas Church in Lexington, MA, the Church of Our Saviour in Rye, NY, and the Archangel Michael Church in Port Washington, NY.

Participants of all ages were afforded an opportunity to connect with others in the spirit of volunteering during the Lenten season. Bozonelis estimated that 100 kits were assembled at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, while Soterakis estimated that more than 100 kits were assembled at the Church of Our Saviour in Rye, NY, noting that “with the blessing and support of parish priest Fr. Elias Villis and the leadership of Youth Director George Hazlaris, the youth spearheaded the community's efforts to make the Day of Service a success at the church of Archbishop Iakovos, a fitting tribute to his legacy and the ideals of Leadership 100.”

Drake Behrakis, also a member of the Board of Trustees, reported that the Metropolis of Boston held its first Leadership Day of Service at St Nicholas Church in Lexington, MA, where more than 20 volunteers, hosted by Father Demetri Costarakis, assembled 224 IOCC emergency health kits.  He gave special thanks to the Anton, Sideridis, Scrivanos, Titcomb and Toulopoulos families.

Michael N. Bapis, former Chairman of Leadership 100 Partners and a member of the Board of Trustees, reported that numerous volunteers participated in the Day of Service at Archangel Michael Church in Port Washington, NY, with the help and support of Fr. Nikolas P. Karloutsos.

Additional parishes throughout the country are expected to report participation.