-- Contributed

As part of the All Saints Ladies Philoptochos Society’s outreach program, the group voted to help support the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. “That is where for the past two years, 13-year-old Elias Kazas, a young man from our diocese, has been fighting a highly malignant and inoperable brain tumor,” a group spokesperson explained. “Elias has shown tremendous strength and fervent faith in God and is fondly known as the ‘Hellenic Warrior.'” The spokesperson noted that, in 2016, his sister, Elena, created a natural, organic skincare line called Calithea (calitheagoddess.com). It features a number of products containing olive oil produced and manufactured in Greece. A brief film featuring the family’s journey fighting this disease was shown at the group’s meeting, along with mention of Calithea where $1 of every order is donated to St. Jude. Each of the members received a bar of olive oil soap, which was donated by a Philoptochos member. The group again made a donation to the Kazas family as well as a donation to St. Jude. Anyone interested in donating to the Kazas family may make checks payable to All Saints Ladies Philoptochos, c/o Elias Kazas Fund, 3528 West St., Weirton, WV 26062. Group members are, seated, from left, Alexandra Melonas, Pearl Tranto, Joyce Drane; and standing, Mary Kohelis, Maria Tranto, Mary Loucas and Toni Loucas.