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ALLEGANY, N.Y., Feb. 4, 2012 – A total of 57 parish and community volunteers, clergy and lay leaders from 13 local parishes, and staff of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, gathered today for a volunteer training workshop and luncheon to kick off the 2012 Appeal for Catholic Charities in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties.
The event was held at the St. Bonaventure Clubhouse in Allegany in preparation for the 88th annual campaign, which carries a goal of $10.6 million this year.
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 2,600 people in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties through its programs and services. Catholic Charities’ 70-plus programs rely on the funds raised during the Appeal. During Appeal 2011, donors from both counties contributed $337,369.
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 Allegany and Cattaraugus counties 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 more than 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.
Matthew Wenke, the new district director of services for Allegany and Cattaraugus counties who moved into the position in 2011, has been with Catholic Charities for 11 years, most recently serving as clinical coordinator of services for the two counties.
Matthew Wenke, the new district director of services for Allegany and Cattaraugus counties who moved into the position in 2011, has been with Catholic Charities for 11 years, most recently serving as clinical coordinator of services for the two counties.
Wenke introduced Jackie Morgan, a Cattaraugus County woman who shared her gratitude for the Grief Support Group offered by Catholic Charities and how she has benefited from it following the death of her husband in a fire which also destroyed their home.
“The group has helped me tremendously,” Morgan said. “We all are grieving in some way and we all interact so we all know how each other is feeling. We’re like a close-knit family now.”
The Grief Support Group meets at St. John Parish in Olean on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. Wenke noted that it is open to all who have experienced a loss, and the number of participants continues to increase. A second Grief Support Group will soon be offered in Wellsville, he added.
Wenke explained that Catholic Charities now also offers support groups for family and friends touched by suicide and for Alzheimer’s caregivers.
Other services Catholic Charities provides in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties: basic assistance, counseling for individuals, children and families, multisystemic therapy, Domestic Violence Offenders program, Kinship Caregivers, Our Kids: Parent Education and Awareness program, and the Intensive and Supportive Case Management Program in Salamanca.
Catholic Charities’ services in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties are provided at 2636 West State St., Olean and 3458 Riverside Drive, Wellsville. The contact number for the Olean office is (716) 372-0101 and the number for the Wellsville office is (585) 593-2015.
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.
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