Annual IOCC Benefit Dinner

Over 200 people, from various jurisdictions, gathered together on Sunday November 16, 2008 in Minneapolis for the annual IOCC Benefit Dinner. His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand was the featured speaker and shared his personal experiences about working with IOCC in various locales around the world in offering people a "hand up" from their often dire circumstances. His Grace is on a speaking tour of the United States on behalf of IOCC and his diocese has provided half of the $100,000 matching grant for IOCC's work in Kosovo and Metohija. Before his ordination, the Bishop was an IOCC staff member, and while a priest served on the IOCC Board.

Also addressing the audience were IOCC Board Vice-chair Dr. Frank Cerra and IOCC intern Sara Tomczyk, a Minneapolis native who interned last summer in Ethiopia. A special musical presentation was made by music professor and composer Chris Granias and vocalist Emily Rakes. Granias composed a hymn titled "The IOCC Anthem" which was performed by Ms. Rakes.

Source: www.iocc.org