Dennis C. Walczyk, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, has announced that Rick Cronin will serve as chair of the 2020 annual Catholic Charities Appeal.

Cronin steps into the role after seven years as parish division chair in which he worked to motivate and inform the appeal teams representing the 170 parishes within the eight Western New York counties served by Catholic Charities.
A 37-year employee of the Social Security Administration before his retirement, Cronin graduated from St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute and has held leadership roles for the school's Annual Giving Fund campaign, the Alumni Association board of directors and is a member of the Signum Fidei Society of distinguished alumni.

Cronin is an alumnus of Canisius College and earned his master of business administration degree from the University at Buffalo.

An active member of St. Margaret Church in Buffalo, Cronin has served as the parish's appeal chair since 1993. He and his wife, JoEllen, reside in the town of Tonawanda.

"I am honored and excited to be serving as this year's appeal chair. Much like the appeal has been a constant in the Western New York community; it has been an important constant in my life," said Cronin. "I've spent the last seven years as appeal parish chair, and I know how much the appeal means to all who benefit from it. I both am humbled and eager to lead it in 2020."

Funds raised will support Catholic Charities' nearly 70 programs across 61 sites in the eight countries of Western New York, along with a number of diocesan ministries through the Fund for the Faith. More information on Appeal 2020, will be available following the official launch Jan. 7.