Contact: Rada K. Tierney, IOCC, 443-823-3489, rtierney@iocc.org
BALTIMORE, Md., May 1, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), the global humanitarian relief organization of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, 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. 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."
Three of the five award recipients, John G. Rangos, Sr., Andrew A. Athens and Charles R. Ajalat, founded the organization in 1992 and all five men, including George M. Marcus and Dr. George J. Farha, have served on the IOCC Board of Directors and are honorary IOCC board members.
The honorees will be recognized at the IOCC 20th Anniversary Gala on May 8, 2012, in Washington, DC. Mike Emanuel, Chief Congressional Correspondent for FOX News Channel, will serve as emcee for the gala, and Chris Hillman, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of the Byrds, will perform during the gala dinner. Also in attendance will be more than a dozen Members of Congress and international ambassadors. Prayers will be offered by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and by His Eminence Archbishop Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas.
The gala festivities will begin with an afternoon congressional reception at the U.S. Capitol building, followed by a VIP cocktail reception and banquet dinner at the Capital Hilton Hotel.
About International Orthodox Christian Charities
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.
