Sydney: The Parish of Saint Sophia and Three Daughters hosted an Afternoon Tea Fundraiser for Lou’s Place – a local women’s shelter

On Saturday 24 August 2024, the Ladies Philoptochos of the Parish of St Sophia and Three Daughters hosted an Afternoon Tea Fundraiser in their main hall, benefitting a local women’s shelter, Lou’s Place. The event was a resounding success, bringing together the community in support of a significant cause.

The afternoon was filled with heartwarming show of community spirit as guests enjoyed a selection of delicious foods prepared by the Ladies Philoptochos. Amongst the attendees, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, was Archimandrite Christophoros Krikelis, Chancellor of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, as well as special guest and CEO of Lou’s Place, Amanda Greaney.

His Eminence’s speech spoke on the need to remember and love all of God’s creation. Thanking the hosting Parish and their Philoptochos for their initiative in receiving Christ’s message of love for one another and acting upon it with such grace, humility and compassion.

The highlight of the event was Lou’s Place CEO Amanda Greaney who gave a heart wrenching talk on the day-to-day experience of working at Lou’s. She spoke about the significant impact of the shelter’s work whilst expressing her immense gratitude for the church’s support.

Following the talks given, the raffle was drawn. The main prize of the event, a beautiful icon of Panagia, donated by Bespoke and Co., generated much excitement and enthusiasm.

The evening was a testament to the generosity and spirit of the parishioners of St Sophia and Three Daughters. The success of the fundraiser is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the Ladies Philoptochos, whose tireless efforts made the event possible.

In total, the Afternoon Tea raised $8000 to support the work of Lou’s Place. These funds will go directly towards providing vital services such as crisis intervention, legal assistance, and therapeutic programs designed to help women heal and rebuild their lives.

A special thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to the event’s success. May God bless them for their generosity and kindness, and may the efforts of the Ladies Philoptochos continue to inspire and uplift the Parish and the wider community.

For more information on how you can support Lou’s Place, visit [www.lousplace.com.au] or follow them on social media.