Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Standing in the doorway of what once was the General Motors American Axle plant on East Delevan Avenue in Buffalo, leaders of the Catholic Charities appeal announced their 2019 campaign goal of $11 million. The former automotive plant is now home to the Catholic Charities Workforce and Education Services Center, one of 61 sites served by the appeal across the eight counties of Western New York.
The theme of the annual campaign this year is "Help your neighbor find HOPE".
Already, $1.4 million has been raised toward the $11 million goal. "We thought it was important to share the good news of our early progress with the Appeal. We see it as an encouraging sign to the community and donors that there continues to be enthusiastic support for the critical programs and services that Catholic Charities provides to the most vulnerable populations across Western New York," said Dennis C. Walczyk, president and CEO, Catholic Charities.
The annual Appeal helps fund 70 programs and services administered by Catholic Charities across 61 sites in the eight counties of Western New York, along with a number of programs and ministries that benefit all parishes through the Fund for the Faith. Programs and services provided by Catholic Charities benefited more than 152,000 people in 2018.
The Chairs of the 2019 Appeal are John and Ruthanne Daly of Buffalo.
"We have great faith that the community, and in particular our supporters in parishes across Western New York, will once again demonstrate their generosity to Catholic Charities to help us achieve our 2019 Appeal goal," said Appeal Chair John Daly. "With our collective strength we can ensure that the programs and services provided by Catholic Charities will help our neighbors find hope, now, and in the future."
The 2019 Appeal will run through June 30. Parish Appeal volunteers will follow up with donors especially during Appeal Week and report their progress to Catholic Charities during First Report Sunday on April 7 and at the culmination of Appeal Week 2019 on Palm Sunday, April 14. Throughout January and February, Appeal volunteer workshops and events will take place across the region in the following locations:
· Genesee/Orleans/Wyoming Counties Workshop, Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Batavia Country Club, 7909 Batavia Byron Road, Batavia
· Niagara County Workshop, Saturday, Jan. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 2671 Townline Road, Ransomville
· Chautauqua County Workshop, Wednesday, Jan. 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 10880 Bennett Road, Dunkirk
· Cattaraugus/Allegany Counties Workshop, Saturday, Feb. 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, 115 East Main Street, Allegany
· Erie County Workshop, Monday, Feb. 4 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., Montante Administrative Center, 741 Delaware Ave., Buffalo
· Erie County Workshop, Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Nativity of our Lord Church, 43 Argyle Place, Orchard Park
