Catholic Charities parties with a purpose: Gala raises much needed funds
Tuesday October 14, 2008, Diocesan
Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida’s Pensacola regional office kicked off the fall fundraiser season Oct. 11 with its 26th annual gala. This year’s party took a little different look from past years with the theme Festiva Italiana! The event, held at St. Anne Parish in Bellview, drew more than 300 patrons.
“It was a fantastic turnout,” said Donna Potts, regional director for the agency. “Especially in these tough economic times, it was great to see such a large crowd enjoying a good time and fellowship while celebrating all that Catholic Charities does. It also helps to expand recognition and understanding among Catholics and non-Catholics alike of our ministry and the people we serve.”
One highlight of the gala was the grand prize of $10,000, won by Eric Troung of Pensacola, a parishioner of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Along with the grand prize, silent and live auctions enticed bidders intent on winning such prizes as a golf package at TPC Sawgrass in Jacksonville, Sugar Bowl tickets, “Sarah Palin” eyeglasses, a mother of pearl rosary blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, original signed paintings and a stained glass fireplace screen created from a window from the host parish. Major donors included Sacred Heart Health Systems, Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund, St. Michael Parish and Mansfield Industrial.
“The importance of this event can’t be overstated at this time,” said Mark Dufva, executive director. “People everywhere are concerned about the global financial crisis. At the same time that we’re seeing funding decreases, the very real needs right here at home are increasing. We’re seeing more people in need, and from a broader demographic range, than ever before. We’re working to strengthen families, especially through the ‘Circles’ anti-poverty campaign with United Way, to break the cycle of poverty. In this economic climate, it’s an important and difficult initiative, but one that will benefit all aspects of our entire community far into the future.”
Catholic Charities Pensacola regional office offers adoption services, emergency assistance, along with self-sufficiency intervention, and immigration and refugee services in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
In the past three years, the adoption program has increased 500 percent in the number of cases handled.
Calls at the Emergency Assistance Center on Davis Highway in Pensacola are up to over 200 per day, with more than 75 walk-in cases seeking help daily, according to Sandra King, program coordinator. The Emergency Assistance Center helps with basic living needs, such as rental assistance, utility payments, non-perishable food and prescription assistance for life-threatening illnesses and children.
“In the last week, we’ve helped one senior citizen avoid foreclosure on her home and another, 88 years old and sick, to keep her utilities connected. We’re seeing more families now, and people who in the past have donated to Catholic Charities who now need help themselves,” King said. “One new phenomenon that we’re seeing is the number of cases where renters are current on their rent, but because the home they’re renting is in foreclosure they need help finding a new place to live and won’t be receiving their deposits back.”
The Fort Walton Beach regional office of the charity will host its fundraiser gala Nov. 1 at Sandestin. Call 850-244-2825 for information and tickets. The Panama City office’s event is scheduled for Nov. 14 at the Marina Civic Center. Call 850-763-0475 for information and tickets. Tallahassee’s regional office of the charity will host a golf tournament Nov. 25 at Golden Eagle Country Club. Call Tamara Bertrand at 850-322-9531 for information and sponsorship opportunities. To learn more about Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, log on to www.catholiccharitiesnwfl.org.
Sponsor List for the Pensacola Charity Gala
PLATINUM
GOLD
St. Michael’s
SILVER
Margie Moore-Merrill
RBC Bank
Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon
Wachovia Securities
Siemens Technology
BRONZE
Jansen Quality Construction
Brantley & Associates
Wachovia Bank
Beach Community Bank
Sacred Heart Mission Services
PenAir Federal Credit Union
George Koper Associates, P.A.
Mr. & Mrs. John Elpers
Faith Chapel Funeral Home
St. Ann Catholic Church
Medical Center Clinic
Mr. & Mrs. Joe DeReuil
Peterson Engineering
Levin, Papantonio, Thomas,Mitchell, Echsner & Proctor Law Firm
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTORS
St. Paul’s Catholic Church
Dr. Tom & Donna Sunnenberg
Heath and Victoria Slocum
St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Bellview