wfn.org | GOAA - NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY ANNOUNCES MAJOR LITERACY DONATIONS

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> GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
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> July 18, 2008

> Contact: Christine Karavites
> Public Relations: 508.982.4276

NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY ANNOUNCES MAJOR LITERACY DONATIONS

Washington, D.C. -- The National Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society at its 2008 National Biennial Convention at the Marriott Wardman Hotel in Washington, D.C., collected over 4000 books for children to be distributed to schools in Washington D.C. and the Pajama Program.org. as part of the National Philoptochos Literacy Outreach Program.  Scholastic, Inc., made a major donation of 2,732 books valued at $11,640.78 and the remaining books were donated by Philoptochos Chapters from throughout the country.

National Philoptochos President Georgia Skeadas, Barbara Pasalis and Crystal Thomas, Literacy Banquet Chairs, made presentations of books to Former Undersecretary of State Barbara Spyridon Pope and Mr. Jim Till, Executive Director of STEPDC.org for distribution to the Roosevelt High School, McFarland Middle School and the Bruce Monroe and Raymond Elementary Schools in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the 400 Convention delegates.

President Skeadas stated, â??The National Philoptochos Literacy Outreach program was implemented in November 2005 to address the growing problem of individualsâ?? inability to read in the United States and the world.  Illiteracy has far reaching implications affecting children in school and employees in the workplace.â??

The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America with 27,000 members throughout the United States.  The National Philoptochos disbursed over $8Million to its many charitable programs and activities from the period of January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2007.  Visit the National Philoptochos Society website, www.philoptochos.org for additional information.