Catholic Charities 2019 Appeal chairs John and Ruthanne Daly speak to Bishop Richard J. Malone after press conference at the CC Workforce & Education Services Center at 1001 East Delavan Avenue where they announced a goal of $11 million. $1.4 million has already been raise for the 2019 "Help your neighbor find HOPE" campaign. (Dan Cappellazzo/Staff Photographer)

Catholic Charities  has announced their launch of the 2019 Appeal with a goal of $11 million. $1.4 million havs already been raised. The theme for Appeal 2019 is "Help your neighbor find HOPE."

"We thought it was important to share the good news of our early progress with the appeal," said Dennis C. Walczyk, president and CEO, Catholic Charities. "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."

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.

John and Ruthanne Daly of Buffalo will serve as chairs for 2019 appeal. John is managing principal of Trautman Associates, an architectural engineering firm and Ruthanne is a fifth-grade teacher in the Kenmore-Tonawanda School District. They also operate O'Dalaigh Real Estate LLC, a family-owned development firm.

"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 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."

Catholic Charities expanded services in 2018 at various new sites, including the opening of the Glynn Family Services Center, which now brings all services provided in Niagara Falls to one location. In November, Catholic Charities announced the opening of its Workforce and Education Services site on the East Side located near the Northland Training Center. Also in 2018, Catholic Charities relocated its Cheektowaga office to the AppleTree Business Park to enhance family and community services.

Workforce and Education Services client Evone Hardy shared her experience since coming to Catholic Charities in December to earn a high school equivalency diploma.

"Everybody is nice. Everybody is welcoming. It's like a family," said Hardy, who attends classes five days a week. "The classes are great. I'm the oldest in my classes but I like to give encouragement to the younger students to help them stay motivated."

The mother of three children has plans to pursue a fashion degree in college.

The 2019 Appeal will run through June 30. Starting this year donors can designate their appeal gift choosing from three options.

Option one is giving to the appeal as in the past. These donations benefit Catholic Charities and Fund for the Faith. Option two is to give 100 percent to their gift to Catholic Charities. Option three is to give 100 percent of their gift to Fund for the Faith.

"Whatever path our donors choose, we want them to know that each gift is very much appreciated." said Walczyk.

"The program ministries supported by the Fund for the Faith also provide hope for so many and are critically important to the larger mission of the diocese," said Bishop Richard J. Malone.

The Fund for the Faith helps to continue the mission of diocesan ministries like the Apostolate for the Deaf, Campus Ministry, Hospital Ministry and Youth and Young Adult Ministry for example.

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.

The patron saint of the 2019 Appeal is Saint Faustina, a Polish Roman Catholic nun born in 1905 who lived her life in imitation of Christ's mercy. Known as an apostle of the Divine Mercy, St. Faustina died in 1938 and was canonized in 2000.

The Appeal 2019 volunteer leadership team also includes Vice Chairs Jon and Heather Williams, Corporate Chair Lisa Wardynski and Parish Chair Rick Cronin.
"We will trust and I will trust in the future with hope as we seek to meet our $11 million goal for the 2019 Appeal," said Bishop Malone.

To make a donation to the 2019 Appeal contact Catholic Charities at 716-218-1400 or visit ccwny.org.