With fewer than two weeks remaining the 2018 Appeal for Catholic Charities of Buffalo is $345,416 short of its $11 million goal.

The incredibly successful communitywide Day of Giving held June 8 brought in a total of $402,337, including $100,000 in anonymous matching funds, and helped push the amount raised to date to $10,654,583 or 96.9 percent of this year's goal.

Funds raised during the Appeal help support the 70 programs and services provided by Catholic Charities at 61 sites throughout Western New York, along with a number of ministries that are part of the Bishop's Fund for the Faith. More than 153,000 lives were impacted by Catholic Charities over the past year alone and more than half of those who specify a faith are non-Catholic.

The 94th annual Appeal ends on June 30 and officials cautioned this could be the third Appeal in history and the first since 2009 to fall short.
Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF, diocesan director of Catholic Charities, said the organization's inaugural Day of Giving was a tremendous success and narrowed the gap significantly, but warned that time is running out.

"We are leaving no stone unturned and working as hard as we can to raise the additional monies needed to reach our goal, but I need an angel to complete this work by our deadline,"  said Sister Mary.

Sister Mary, who will retire at the conclusion of this year's Appeal after nine years as diocesan director, implored the community to make one final push as the Appeal nears its June 30 deadline.

"We are much closer to our goal than we dreamed possible as recently as two weeks ago. On behalf of all those who turn to Catholic Charities for assistance, I am asking individuals and organizations to do whatever they can in the final days of the Appeal to help ensure a successful conclusion. We've come too far now to fall short," Sister Mary added.

The theme of this year's Appeal which began in January is 'Love your Neighbor' and the patron saint is Saint Clare of Assisi.

Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive human service provider in the region, serving people of all ages, races, faiths and walks of life. It has helped individuals and families in need since its founding in 1923. That need is varied and widespread - from emergency assistance to mental health counseling and treatment, and from specialized services for older adults to help with job training and education.

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 assesses clients for other needs to ensure long-term success.

To donate to the 2018 Appeal or for more information, contact Catholic Charities at (716) 218-1400 or go to ccwny.org. You can also join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.