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IOCC 20th Anniversary Gala Planned for May 8

Chris Hillman, former member of The Byrds and IOCC guestChris Hillman, former member of The Byrds and IOCC guestBaltimore, MD, March 16, 2012

In celebration of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) two decades of faith-based humanitarian work, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Orthodox Christian, Chris Hillman, will perform at the organization's 20th Anniversary Gala on May 8, 2012, at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.

Hillman, whose multi-faceted musical career spans five decades, gained popular recognition as a founding member of The Byrds, one of the most influential American rock bands of the 1960s. Their biggest hit song, "Turn, Turn, Turn," carries a message of peace and tolerance inspired by Biblical verses taken from the Book of Ecclesiastes. The song remains a rock classic and one of a few examples of scripture set to popular music.

Hillman's appearance at the Gala underscores his strong support of the philanthropic arm of the Orthodox Church. An evangelical Christian who came to know the Orthodox faith through his wife Connie, a Greek Orthodox Christian, he converted after a strong calling to explore Orthodoxy prompted him to speak to a priest and complete the holy sacrament of chrismation. Fifteen years later, he devotes much of his time and talent to supporting his church in Santa Barbara, California, and performing for Orthodox-based benefits like the IOCC 20th Anniversary Gala. "I feel as an Orthodox Christian that the talent God has given me now should be used to help the church and whatever I can do to generate interest to directly benefit those in need."

The IOCC Gala will mark 20 years as the global humanitarian relief organization of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. Joining Hillman will be a gathering of "who's who" from IOCC's past, present and future. The gala festivities will begin with an afternoon congressional reception hosted by Orthodox Christian members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol building, followed by a VIP cocktail reception and banquet dinner at the Capital Hilton Hotel. The inaugural Compassion at Work award will also be introduced at the 20th Anniversary Gala dinner. The humanitarian award recognizes extraordinary support for IOCC's mission.

Since 1992, IOCC has worked throughout the world to deliver more than $400 million in emergency aid and development assistance to families in 50 countries. IOCC enjoys an exceptional record of stewardship, with 92% of all resources directly reaching those in need.

IOCC is a member of InterAction, a coalition of U.S. based non-governmental organizations that carry out humanitarian assistance programs overseas, and the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and relief agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.

For more about the gala, please visit the IOCC's web page about the event.

Media contact: Rada K. Tierney, IOCC Media Relations, 443-823-3489, rtierney@iocc.org