Catholic Charities Appeal representatives Frank Andzik (center), donor and event coordinator,and Fred Heuer (right), appeal parish coordinator, collect the donations from this weekend's Mass's to the Catholic Charities Appeal as appeal parish chairs & pastors drop them off at Catholic Charities Montante Administrative Center. (Patrick McPartland/Staff Photographer)

Catholic Charities of Buffalo's 92nd annual Appeal has raised $6,554,783.57 following the opening weekend of Sunday of Appeal Week 2016, representing 59 percent of the $11 million goal. The total includes monies collected and reported by parish volunteers during the period which marks the strongest push for donations.

Appeal Week, which takes place in parishes throughout Western New York, began with Masses on Saturday, March 12 and will continue through Palm Sunday, March 20. Parish volunteers will encourage and coordinate fundraising efforts at weekend Masses to help achieve this year's $11 million goal.

Appeal Week celebrates the generosity of Western New Yorkers who have made a contribution to the 2016 annual Appeal for Catholic Charities and to encourage those who have not already donated to do so.

Although Appeal Week marks the strongest push for parish donations, volunteers will work to achieve the final goal until the conclusion of Catholic Charities' fiscal year on June 30 if necessary.

The appeal, which officially began Jan. 6, helps fund Catholic Charities' 70 myriad programs and services across 61 sites in Western New York along with a number of ministries through the Bishop's Fund for the Faith.

The theme of this year's Appeal is "Find Good Within" and the patron saint is Saint Nicholas.

Catholic Charities has helped individuals and families in need since its founding in 1923. The need is varied and widespread including emergency assistance, counseling and mental health services, specialized services for families and the elderly, and job training and education.

As the most comprehensive human service provider serving Western New York, Catholic Charities makes a difference for people of every faith and ethnicity. Catholic Charities empowers children, families and seniors to achieve meaningful, healthy and productive lives. In all situations, Catholic Charities delivers support to meet immediate needs, and then assess its clients for other needs to ensure long-term success.

To make a donation or learn more about Appeal 2016, contact Catholic Charities at 716-218-1400 or go to ccwny.org.