WASHINGTON, DC – The Daughters of Penelope (DOP) Grand Lodge and Headquarters sent out their best wishes for the Easter holiday and a Christos Anesti in their latest newsletter which included an update on their volunteer efforts in the fight against the coronavirus.

In the newsletter, the DOP noted that National Volunteer Week runs through April 25, “National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate the impact of volunteer service on our communities. It is an opportunity to recognize and thank volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice and support to causes they care about. Their stories serve to inspire others to take action, to realize their power to make a difference, and be a force that transforms the world.”

The DOP Grand Lodge and Headquarters also extended their “heartfelt thanks to all our members who are always first to volunteer and especially during this difficult time.

“Thank you to our chapters who have offered support during COVID-19. Hesperus Chapter 359 in Athens, Greece, donated food and medical supplies to local hospitals, senior citizen homes, and soup kitchens, Sparta Chapter 406 in Sparti, Greece, donated masks to local government and businesses in Sparti, Niriides Chapter 423 in Komotini, Greece, Arisnoi Chapter 424 in Xanthe, Greece, Atrytone Chapter 426 in Serres, Greece, and Evridiki Chapter 427 in Alexandroupoli, Greece, joined together to donate masks and supplies to the local hospitals in the northern region.

“Athinaides Chapter 430 in Athens, Greece, donated masks to local hospitals in Athens. Eleni Chapter 440 in London, UK, donated food items and basic necessities to those in need in their local community via their Fence for Love drive.

“Metera Chapter 425 in Stuttgart, Germany, Phaetuse Chapter 437 in Paris, France, Thetis Chapter 439 in Brussels, Belgium, Eleni Chapter 440 in London, UK, and Sissi Chapter 445 in Vienna, Austria, joined together to support and replicate the International Painting Competition for Children and Youth – Near or Far, We are All One, a competition which serves as an invitation for children of Hellenic descent from all over the world to send in a drawing with a universal message of encouragement, love, strength, and mutual respect during this difficult time.

“Individual members are volunteering as well during this pandemic. Sister Emilia from Deucalion Chapter 199 in Waterbury, CT, is an RN and works in the emergency room at Yale New Haven Hospital. She called her mom, District Governor 7 Marianne Boutsioulis, from the hospital recently and asked her if she could sew masks for the emergency room at the hospital. She made 200. More and more health care workers in the hospital needed masks, so she made another 200.

“Sister Maria Valkanos, Chapter President of Lysandros 181 in Norwich, CT, has also been sewing masks for the local hospital as her son is also a nurse. So many DOP members are handling grocery shopping for those unable to and checking in on friends and family during this pandemic.

“Our healthcare workers on the front lines and essential frontline workers are certainly heroes but members like ours are heroes as well. During this Easter season, we are truly thankful and blessed to have such a wonderful sisterhood.”

The organization continues to volunteer and carry out the mission of the Daughters of Penelope while continuing to follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Please continue to stay safe and healthy.

More information about the Daughters of Penelope is available online: www.daughtersofpenelope.org.