I would have to disagree that the Orthodox sit back and do little to influence/change/improve their corner of the world.
I live in Michigan, near Detroit. We have close to 40 Orthodox parishes within decent driving distance....of all flavors (Greek, Ukrainian, Antiochian, Serbian, Romanian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Russian, Albanian, OCA,....)
We have an OCW - Orthodox Christian Women, organization. They collect funds and materials for the Detroit Children's Hospital, as well as women's shelters, etc. They sponsor lectures and outings to local monasteries, churches..., as well.
We have a branch of the COCC - Council of Orthodox Christian Churches. All parishes send a delegate and are represented. The COCC holds fundraisers, group events such as the St. Nicholas program, festivals, charity basketball games with "super stars", etc. All of this tries to invite the public to "Come and See". They'll come for the live reindeer at the St. Nick program, but, will walk past the open church doors to get to the hall....and someone will ask them to come in and have a look....they might just spark an interest. The COCC is also the group that sponsors and organizes the Pan-Orthodox Vespers during Great Lent.
We also have a Orthodox Detroit Outreach. These folks are also comprised of volunteers from various parishes. They host soup kitchens, prepare bag lunches, cook breakfasts, etc. for the homeless. They actually go out in to the streets and "touch" the needy. They provide clothing, and canned/dry goods for the destitute. The plant community gardens, clean up playgrounds, etc.
My own parish has a chapter of the Jr. Ukrainian Orthodox League....and the kids are always going "out" into the public arena and putting the "Orthodox" name out there....be it by volunteering at city wide bake sales, volunteering at the Humane Society, reaching out to sick kids in hospitals with cards and toys, visiting nursing homes, etc.
It's not true the Orthodox don't "do" things....we just don't advertise everything we do. The only ones who know, are the ones whom we directly touch, embrace, and help out.