WICHITA, Kan. – Providing Families Hope, held on Friday, April 30, 2010 at the Beech Activity Center, raised over $88,000 to benefit Catholic Charities St. Anthony Family Shelter.   The 18 years of service at Catholic Charities of Janet Valente Pape, retiring Catholic Charities Executive Director, and her many years of service as a community leader was honored in conjunction with the event.

The amount raised nearly doubled what was raised at the event last year and far exceeds what has been raised at this event in years past. Guests enjoyed a great venue, delicious three-course meal, and silent and live auction.  

KAKE Channel 10’s Susan Peters, a long time friend of Pape, hosted the event. She was joined by Bishop Michael Jackels of the Diocese of Wichita to honor Pape and celebrate the work of St. Anthony Family Shelter. McCurdy Auction handled the live auction bidding raising over $8,000 for the cause.

“I would like to thank everyone who came to this year’s event to help us celebrate Janet’s retirement, but also to help support the work that we do to assist homeless families at Catholic Charities St. Anthony Family Shelter,” said Brenda Keeler, Senior Director of Development and Marketing for Catholic Charities.

Catholic Charities St. Anthony Family Shelter provides food, shelter and support to homeless families in the community. In 2009, the shelter provided over 175 families made up of over 300 children a safe place to stay. The new facility, built in 2007, allows 24 percent more occupancy than the old shelter with room for 13 families at a time.

In addition to the basic necessities, families at the shelter receive three meals a day plus snacks, toiletries, medical services and referrals, instruction in parenting skills, drug and alcohol counseling classes, screenings and referrals, case management, and follow-up services if they so choose. Proceeds from the event go toward making these things possible.

Catholic Charities Harbor House Advisory Council members who planned the event:

Alice Johnson, Cozy Goebel, Cindy Schwan, Jim DeBroeck, Linda Rice, Linda Lauer, Dana Leivian, Vi Schuckman, Sandi Baalman, Sharon Bastian, Paula Duling, Earlene Condiff, David Warren, Scott Stremel, and Megan McDonald

Entertainment

Music provided was provided by the One Power Band from Unity Church in Wichita.

Prize Drawing

Three prizes were available as part of a prize drawing held throughout the evening. For a suggested donation guests could enter into a drawing for a South of the Border basket, a Tour of Wichita prize pack and a chance at a $500 VISA gift card from Catholic Family Federal Credit Union.

Sponsors

Catholic Diocese of Wichita served as presenting sponsor for the event. Other major sponsors include Via Christi Health, Eurest Dining Services and McCurdy Auction, LLC.

About Catholic Charities

Established in 1943 as a social service outreach of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Catholic Charities has served the community for more than 65 years. Since its beginning, Catholic Charities has helped people of all faiths and backgrounds, “demonstrating the Gospel values of love and justice through service, education, advocacy, and collaboration.” Accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), Catholic Charities works to ensure efficiencies and effectiveness of its program – striving for quality, while being good stewards of our earthly resources. Catholic Charities has made an assertive effort to become more energy efficient and resource conscious. Learn more about this and other Catholic Charities efforts at www.catholiccharitieswichita.org.

About Fundraising

Each year, Catholic Charities must raise a portion of its budget through donations from individuals, corporations, and private foundations. In 2010, the goal is to raise $1.5 million. Providing Families Hope to benefit Catholic Charities St. Anthony Family Shelter is a part of this effort, raising money to help families with children stabilize and not return to the shelter. Learn more at www.catholiccharitieswichita.org.

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