BUFFALO, N.Y., Feb. 11, 2012 – A total of 102 parish and community volunteers, local clergy and lay leaders, and staff of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, gathered today for a volunteer training workshop and reception to kick off the 2012 Appeal for Catholic Charities in Erie County.

The event was held at Catholic Charities’ headquarters at 741 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo in preparation for the 88th annual campaign, which carries a goal of $10.6 million this year.

Workshop participants heard from a former Catholic Charities client about how their efforts, and the contributions from donors across Western New York, directly help those in need. Kaji Sunwar, who came to Buffalo from Bhutan through Catholic Charities’ Immigration and Refugee Assistance program, told the audience how Catholic Charities provided him a new life, with support and a brighter future.

“When we arrived in Buffalo, Catholic Charities had arranged for a place for my brother and me to live, good food and good clothes to wear,” said Sunwar. “I felt as though I was in a new world, almost like a dream.”







Kaji Sunwar, case manager for Catholic Charities Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program, shares his story of hope with the volunteers.









Sunwar spent his childhood and teenage years in a refugee camp in Nepal, where he lived in a hut with his parents and five siblings. He now works for Catholic Charities’ Immigration and Refugee Assistance program as a case manager, helping those who were in situations he was once in.

Appeal Week 2012 will take place March 25 through April 1 to celebrate the support of Western New Yorkers who have made a contribution to the Appeal, and to encourage those who have not already donated to do so. Although Appeal Week marks the strongest push for donations, volunteers will work to achieve the final goal throughout the coming months until the conclusion of Catholic Charities’ fiscal year on June 30.

Last year, Catholic Charities provided assistance to more than 108,000 people in Erie County through its programs and services. Catholic Charities’ 70-plus programs rely on the funds raised during the Appeal. During Appeal 2011, donors from Erie County contributed more than $7.5 million.

At the luncheon, Bishop Kmiec said the theme of this year’s drive is “Protect. Strengthen. Empower.”
“The theme articulates how our many programs, services and activities benefit the community, and those who turn to us for help,” said Bishop Kmiec. “The theme also magnifies the link between the generosity of our donors and the results of our efforts.”

Bishop Kmiec was joined by Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF, diocesan director of Catholic Charities, who further explained the programs that protect, strengthen and empower individuals, and the mission behind the theme, depicted by former clients in this year’s poster images.

“Catholic Charities protects children like Curtis from hunger through basic need programs like our food pantries,” said Sister Mary. “We offer nutrition assistance and education to strengthen young families like Stephanie, Bryan and their young son who struggled in today’s challenging economy. We empower and educate teens and adults like Khameela through our GED and job readiness programs.”

“When any of us give from our heart, we become a refuge to those who are poor and in distress, and we provide shelter and much-needed relief,” she said. “Through this response, we empower the people Catholic Charities serves to live healthy, meaningful and productive lives. This is our mission, and when the Appeal is supported, our mission is achievable.”

Reflecting on the importance of donations to the Appeal, Bishop Kmiec recalled the words of Blessed John Paul II, the patron of Appeal 2012, who said serving the mission of the Church by means of charity is the commitment and responsibility of everyone.

“I am convinced Christian charity, in its fullest expression, is the answer to many of the challenges we face as a region, nation, and global society,” said Bishop Kmiec. “As followers of Christ we are all challenged to serve those who are poor and most vulnerable in our community, and we are all asked to support the work of Catholic Charities here in Erie County and throughout the diocese.”

David Nasca, president and chief executive officer of Evans Bancorp, Inc., and chairperson of the 2012 Appeal, commented on the difficult economic conditions of the region and emphasized the increased need for donations.

“The economy remains stalled and this has impacted thousands of our neighbors. However, we will not accept these challenges as an excuse,” said Nasca. “Through the hard work of our staff and volunteers, we are well positioned to attain our goal. Together, we will overcome these difficult economic times because it is critical we succeed. We are committed to continuing to provide for the nearly 140,000 people Catholic Charities of Buffalo served last year.”

Other members of the 2012 Appeal leadership team include Stephen Ulrich, vice chair and parish and large gifts chair, Anthony Delmonte, Jr., corporate gifts chair, and Beth Mattimore, community division chair.

In Erie County, Catholic Charities provides a variety of services, including: children’s services, food pantries, immigration and refugee assistance, parish outreach and advocacy, senior services and the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) nutrition program.  

Catholic Charities operates out of 37 offices in Erie County, including 23 in the city of Buffalo, with additional locations in Amherst, Cheektowaga, Hamburg, Kenmore, Lackawanna and West Seneca.

Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive direct human service provider serving all eight counties of Western New York, with 70 programs and 61 locations. Founded in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides, without regard to religious affiliation, comprehensive counseling services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming and emergency services, among other social and mental health services.

For more information on the 2012 Appeal or to make a donation, contact Catholic Charities at (716) 218-1400 or go to www.ccwny.org. Check out Catholic Charities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccbuffalo and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccbuffalo.

                                                       # # #