BELPRE- For the third year, St. James Greek Orthodox Mission Church is selling homemade Valentine's candy as a fundraiser.
"We've been doing this for three years because we needed a fundraiser that identified our congregation and raised money to help us pay for things the church needed," said member Photoola Papaefstathiou.
The church, at 120 Maple St., Belpre, was the former St. Ambrose Catholic Church and became the Greek Orthodox church in 2003 following the signing of a land contract with the Catholic Diocese of Steubenville for the purchase of the property.
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Photo by Jolene Craig
Chocolate hearts and roses will be for sale through a fundraiser at St. James Greek Orthodox Mission Church in Belpre.
"Because it's an old church, things go wrong and we need to fix them," Papaefstathiou said. "Without a fundraiser, we have no way to pay for repairs and changes."
Making candy to sell for Valentine's Day was the brainchild of congregation member Kiki Angelos three years ago.
"The number one Valentine's Day gift is candy and I knew the ladies in the church could do that," Angelos said.
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So, a group of women from the congregation began to make lollipops out of milk, white and red chocolate by hand and sell them in bouquets for $1 a lollipop.
They have glass vases of rose and heart lollipops available in varying sizes as well as candy dishes filled with homemade chocolates.
"Everyone of all ages loves chocolate, so we decided to make this our biggest fundraiser each year," Angelos said. "It seems to do well."
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* The ladies of St. James Greek Orthodox Mission Church in Belpre are selling Valentine's Day chocolates to aid the congregation in paying for repairs on the old building.
* The lollipops are handmade of milk, white and red chocolate and are placed in glass vases as edible bouquets for $1 a lollipop.
* Order forms for the candy are available at both Chick-Fil-A locations, Auntie Anne's Pretzels and Rogers Jewelers in Grand Central Mall as well as Jon Six Beauty Salon on Grand Central Avenue, e-Style Hair at 505 17th St., Vienna; ColourBar at 811 Grand Central Ave.; Pretty Nails at 800 Grand Central Ave.; Ultimately You Beauty Salon at 4421 Emerson Ave., Parkersburg; Chams Lebanese Restaurant on Market Street, Wood County Technical Center and Texas Road House in Parkersburg.
Order forms for the candy are available at both Chick-Fil-A locations, Auntie Anne's Pretzels and Rogers Jewelers in Grand Central Mall as well as Jon Six Beauty Salon on Grand Central Avenue, e-Style Hair at 505 17th St., Vienna; ColourBar at 811 Grand Central Ave.; Pretty Nails at 800 Grand Central Ave.; Ultimately You Beauty Salon at 4421 Emerson Ave., Parkersburg; Chams Lebanese Restaurant on Market Street, Wood County Technical Center and Texas Road House in Parkersburg.
There will be a stand at Rogers Jewelers in Grand Central Mall on Feb. 1-3, 8-10 and 13 and 14.
Deadline for orders is Feb. 10 with pickup dates Feb. 13 and 14.
For questions or to place an order, contact Angelos at 304-428-5586 or Sally Dukas at (740) 423-6674.
