Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church Donates to Children

In the spirit of giving, the Greek Orthodox Youth Association (G.O.Y.A.) youth ministry of Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church in Palos Heights is helping children and teens fighting cancer. The group recently sponsored a Lenten toy, gift and gift card drive to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF). The Association donated $480 in gift cards and purchased $820 worth of toys from Target along with numerous donated toys collected during the Lenten Toy and Gift Card Drive to help children and teens fighting cancer.

Greek Orthodox Youth Association is the ministry to teenagers of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for the purpose of fellowship, worship, service, and witness. Co-Chair Demetria S. Papadopoulos said, “The entire parish of Saint Spyridon has been incredibly generous. It is good to get our youth involved in this effort. The Greek Orthodox Youth Association is amazing.” Saint Spyridon Church’s Reverend Father Tilemahos said, “Saint Spyridon Church has had three cases of children diagnosed with cancer. We have had some experience in our parish, and we want to respond.”

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel acknowledged the importance of Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church Lenten Toy Drive. "The Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful for their enormous donation of toys, gifts and gift cards," said Ms. Kisel. “Saint Spyridon’s ongoing dedication will help us continue to support brave young children and teens as they endure years of painful procedures in their battle against cancer. We are truly blessed to have their support.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 14,600 young cancer patients in 62 cancer treatment centers in 20 states across the nation and in the District of Columbia. Nowhere else in the nation does such a program exist. Colleen Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. Ms. Kisel discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain, noting that when children are diagnosed with cancer their world soon becomes filled with doctors, nurses, chemotherapy drugs, surgeries and seemingly endless painful procedures. Martin celebrated his 28th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of this year.

If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please contact Colleen Kisel at 708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation's website at www.treasurechest.org.

Photo caption l-r: Saint Spyridon Hellenic Orthodox Church delivery team Co-Chair Demetria S. Papadopoulos, Saint Spyridon Church Rev. Father Tilemahos, G.O.Y.A members Katerina Alikakos, Joanna Papoulias, George Kottaras, and Spiros Kottaras, Co-Chair Stella Parhas and Director of G.O.Y.A. Nancy Primbas displays their donation of toys, gifts and gift cards at the Treasure Chest Foundation’s Orland Park warehouse. Their donation will bring smiles of joy to 100’s of children and teens battling cancer across the nation.

Not pictured: Peter Primbas and Kosta Primbas