Gratitude: A letter from Executive Director, Father Demetrios

gratitude_boys_blog.jpg

Every organization and ministry is an interlocking chain. From supporters to staff to the beneficiaries of our ministry.  Without you we could not have made it through the last 32 years of building homes for families without and providing a home to boys without one. Together, we have weathered many storms, and together we will make it through this one.

In the midst of this crisis, we are blessed to receive three new boys to our orphanage this week. Just as you may have children at home from school; we have moved all of our 17 boys to home and online schooling at the ranch with the aid of our dedicated teachers and tutors. To stay healthy and active we’ve begun training for the St Innocent Run for Hope Charity Half-Marathon and 10K.  

I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for your continued support as we hunker down for this Lenten journey with the hopes to be reunited together soon. We have identified families who are in an even greater need for homes this summer due to the virus. A house will provide them with safe, affordable, and secure housing that is also treated with our lime wash paint that is a natural antibacterial and antimicrobial!

While none of us know when the shelter-in-place orders and travel restrictions will lift, we will be flexible for our groups and volunteers and continue our mission. We are also working to mobilize you, our many donors, alumni volunteers, and friends to assist one another in your own community through our partner ministries across the country. The harvest is plentiful, and truly we need laborers more than ever in this time to bring in the harvest.  

You can support our ministry and those most vulnerable by praying, volunteering, and getting involved, and most importantly by staying safe and helping to eliminate the continued spread of COVID-19.

We will be in communication as new information becomes clear for this summer, but either way, we at Project Mexico and Saint Innocent Orphanage will continue to be here to support the poor, the widows and the orphaned with your help. I personally thank you for your continued support, and if you are in a position to increase that support now, you will make a significant impact in our ability to continue this great ministry!

Thanks to the recently passed legislation and stimulus, the Charitable Giving Incentive now makes all gifts to non profits tax deductible in 2020 regardless of whether you itemize.  It also raises the giving limit from 60% of AGI to 100% of AGI:  Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act CARES Act (Pub. L. 116-132).

Please consult with a tax professional to determine if your gift will be tax exempt.

Through the prayers of Our Most Holy Theotokos, and the blessings and intercessions of St. Haralambos, we pray for your health and good strength as we approach the Crucifixion and Look towards the Joyous Resurrection of the Lord!

With the Love of Christ,

Fr. Demetrios