Catholic Charities workers recorded parish collections during the agency's Appeal Week in March. (Patrick McPartland/Staff Photographer)

With about four weeks remaining before the close of the 2016 Appeal in support of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, the annual campaign has raised $10,550,794.76 in cash and pledges, representing almost 96 percent of its $11 million goal. Appeal leaders are asking the community for their help in raising the remaining $449,205.24 still needed to reach the final goal by June 30.

Bishop Richard J. Malone expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Appeal leadership team for all of the support the Western New York community has shown so far. He also stressed the urgency of contributing now to those who have not yet donated, or are in a position to consider an additional gift, to help ensure a successful conclusion.

"We are in the home stretch of this nearly six-month journey to raise the funds needed to allow Catholic Charities to continue its work that is so vital to the community, and the finish line is within sight," said Bishop Malone. "We still have a ways to go before hitting our goal, so anyone who can consider a donation, no matter the size, will allow one final push to help us achieve our goal."

Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF, diocesan director for Catholic Charities, is confident that even though the Appeal is still behind where it was last year at this time, the hard work of volunteers will offer a final surge to help Catholic Charities reach its goal in the coming weeks.

"We have been blessed this year, as we are each year, with so many people who work diligently to raise money in our parishes and throughout our community because of their dedication to our mission," said Sister Mary. "While we recognize these final dollars will be among the most difficult to raise, we once again call on Western New York for its continued support and ability to find good within to help others."

A new effort contributing to the Appeal total this year is a fundraising concert, a first-ever event for the agency, featuring the pop opera trio Forte Tenors at Kleinhans Music Hall June 30 at 7 p.m.

Forte is best known for their time on "America's Got Talent," where the group, now comprised of Josh Page, Sean Panikkar and Hana Ryu, made it as a finalist on the show's eighth season in 2014. Tickets can be purchased through Kleinhans Music Hall and range in price from $45.50 to $75.50. All proceeds will benefit the 2016 Appeal.

Results of the 2016 Appeal will be announced by Bishop Malone and Appeal leadership that evening.

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 for the 2016 Appeal is "Find Good Within" and the patron saint of the 92nd annual Appeal is St. Nicholas.
As the most comprehensive human service provider in Western New York, Catholic Charities makes a difference for people of every faith and ethnicity. Since its founding in 1923, Catholic Charities has helped individuals and families in need. That need is varied and widespread - from emergency assistance to counseling and from specialized services for the elderly to help with job training and education.

To make a donation or learn more about Appeal 2016, contact Catholic Charities at (716) 218-1400 or go to www.ccwny.org. You can also check out Catholic Charities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccbuffalo and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccbuffalo.