Community Support for 24th Bishop’s Annual Dinner for
Catholic Charities breaks all-time record, exceeding $600,000
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh celebrated its 96th anniversary and extraordinary history of community service on Friday, May 12 at the 24th Bishop’s Annual Dinner for Catholic Charities, with the theme “A Matter of Caring,” at the downtown Hilton Pittsburgh. This year’s gala was another tremendous success, with a record-breaking total in excess of $600,000 in gross revenue raised.
New Executive Director Patricia A. McCullough said, “Catholic Charities has been a beacon of light, a ray of hope, for thousands, and has helped bring to fruition God’s plan for their welfare. What a wonderful blessing it is for me to be part of this outreach. I would like to thank our Host Committee Co-Chairs, Chris and Ann Donahue, all the members of the Host Committee, and the numerous supporters who have contributed to the success of this year’s dinner.”
KDKA Radio’s Larry Richert served as Master of Ceremonies.
At the event, The Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl, STD, Bishop of Pittsburgh, honorary host, presented Caritas awards to: Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, represented by CEO Ken Eshak; Parkvale Bank as represented by Mickey Bryant. The Caritas Flame of Hope was awarded to special guest Jim Kelly, executive director of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Funds raised by this event allow Catholic Charities to provide important services such as counseling, housing, adoption, food and clothing assistance, and much more. According to Bishop Wuerl, “For 96 years,Wednesday, 12 July, 2006l of love, individually and collectively, as we work to manifest more fully his Kingdom on earth.”
Catholic Charities is especially grateful to premier underwriters Federated Investors, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Jones Day. Other major underwriters include Duquesne Light Company, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, Reed Smith, Mellon Financial Corporation, McKamish, Inc., Tribune Review Publishing, Mr.& Mrs. Keith Loiselle and Mrs. Sara Wiegand.
Since 1910, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh has served the communities of Southwestern Pennsylvania with programs that strengthen families and assist the poor. Serving all in need, without regard to race, creed or national origin, Catholic Charities currently has offices in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Greene, and Washington Counties. Last year, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh aided more than 90,000 individuals.
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