IOCC Presents Orthodox Leaders With Compassion At Work Award

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), the global humanitarian relief organization of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, founded in 1992 with “seed” funding from Leadership 100, has named five prominent Orthodox Christian community leaders as the recipients of its Compassion at Work Award: Charles R. Ajalat, Andrew A. Athens, Dr. George J. Farha, George M. Marcus, and John G. Rangos, Sr. Athens, a Founder and first Chairman of Leadership 100, and Rangos, then a member of the Leadership 100 Board of Trustees, were the founders of the organization, along with Ajalat. All three served on the IOCC Board, and are now honorary Board members. Marcus, who served on the Leadership 100 Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, also served on the IOCC Board of Directors, as did Dr. Farha. They both are now honorary members the IOCC Board. The five visionary men were selected to receive the inaugural award for their extraordinary philanthropic contributions to the organization's mission and its continued success over the past 20 years.

In announcing the recipients, IOCC Board Chairman, Michael S. "Mickey" Homsey said, "As International Orthodox Christian Charities celebrates 20 years of delivering humanitarian service to those in need around the world, it owes a debt of gratitude to these men whose faith and philanthropic spirit served as the catalyst in developing IOCC as the humanitarian arm of the Orthodox Church in North America and as a unified ministry for the Orthodox community to express its faith in compassionate and tangible ways."

The honorees were recognized at the IOCC 20th Anniversary Gala on May 8, 2012, in Washington, DC. Also honored was IOCC Board Trustee, John Sitilides, a member of the Leadership 100 Board of Trustees and Chairman of its Grant Committee, who received an award from Constantine Triantafilou, IOCC Executive Director & CEO, and Michael “Mickey” Homsey, IOCC Board Chairman, “in recognition and with deep appreciation for his visionary guidance and undaunting leadership as IOCC 20th Anniversary Gala Event Chairman.” 

Since 1992, IOCC has worked throughout the world to deliver more than $400 million in emergency aid and development assistance to families in 50 countries. IOCC enjoys an exceptional record of stewardship, with 92% of all resources directly reaching those in need.