Catholic Charities’ 18th Annual Celebration of Charity Raised $147,000 to Aid Neighbors in Need
Caritas Awards Presented to Community Partners
GOSHEN – More than 300 guests gathered at The Kartrite Resort in Monticello last month for Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster’s 18th annual Celebration of Charity and Caritas Awards Dinner. The not-for-profit agency’s largest fundraising event of the year raised more than $147,000 that will be redistributed locally to provide food, shelter, and other basic human needs for the most vulnerable members of our community, regardless of their religion or ability to pay.
The evening’s main event was the presentation of the 2024 Caritas Awards to five individuals and organizations whose work embraces Catholic Charities’ mission to provide help and create hope for our neighbors in need. This year’s Caritas Award recipients were Fr. Bob Porpora (Church of St. Peter, Monticello), ShopRite Supermarkets, Ulster Savings Bank, Chief William Worden (Port Jervis Police Department), and Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Highland Falls).
John S. Burke Catholic High School students Sage Ferraro and Cassidy Maglio provided musical accompaniment during the social hour, which included silent auction bidding on an array of items generously donated by local artisans, shops, restaurants, and others. The evening’s program began with the invocation provided by Sr. Mary Catherine Redmond, of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a song of celebration performed by Kingston Catholic School 7th grader Emma Catenacci.
Serving as the Celebration’s Master of Ceremonies, Catholic Charities board member and Senior Vice President of Government and Public Relations for Mediacom Communications, Tom Larsen welcomed guests to the 18th annual Celebration, which was hosted in Sullivan County for the second year. “We are grateful for the outpouring of support from tonight’s guests, honorees, sponsors, advertisers, volunteers, staff, and others whose generosity makes it possible for Catholic Charities to fulfill its mission of service to our neighbors in need. Together, we are making a difference.”
Shannon Kelly, CEO, Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster, offered a highlight of the programs and services available at the agency’s nearby campus on Broadway in Monticello, which includes an outpatient treatment clinic, medication-assisted treatment, community-based care, and harm-reduction support for people struggling with the disease of addiction, youth substance use prevention and education, as well as emergency food and shelter assistance, and immigration legal services. “These are not easy times. I’m very proud of the work we are accomplishing and the steadfast dedication of our Catholic Charities employees who are touching lives each and every day,” said Ms. Kelly.
Catholic Charities board chair, Thomas Strahle, addressed guests on behalf of the board of directors, “I am exceptionally grateful for the generosity shown to us tonight and throughout the year. Our community is made stronger thanks to our Caritas honorees, outstanding staff, and many partners. Last year, our programs helped thousands of individuals and families in need of care, hope, and help.”
Event sponsors and advertisers in the commemorative journal helped Catholic Charities raise more than $147,000 at the 18th annual Celebration. Mediacom Communications and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York were the evening’s premier Platinum sponsors. Armistead Mechanical, Community Manufacturing Solutions, Schweppes, and Ulster Savings Bank were Gold sponsors. Legal Shred, Pepsi of the Hudson Valley, Resorts World, and Skip & Susan Tetz were Flower Sponsors. Silver sponsors were Advance Building Solutions/Corporate Building Solutions, John & Susan Boyle, Most Rev. Dominick Lagonegro, and Westchester Medical Center Health Network.
The next Catholic Charities event – Golf for Charity – will be held Monday, September 16, at West Hills Country Club in Middletown. Sponsorship and foursome opportunities are available. The annual Goshen Christmas House Tour is scheduled for Saturday, December 7. To learn more, contact Kristin Jensen at kristin.jensen@cccsos.org or 845.294.5124, x1005.
Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster hosted the 18th annual Celebration of Charity and Caritas Awards Dinner at The Kartrite Resort in Monticello. The Caritas Award is presented to community partners who embody the non-profit agency’s mission to provide help and create hope. Pictured (l-r) are Catholic Charities CEO Shannon Kelly; honorees Michael Schoendorf, Vice President of Operations for ShopRite Supermarkets; Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden; Ulster Savings Bank CEO William Calderara; Fr. Bob Porpora of St. Peter’s, Monticello; Fr. Joseph Tokarcyzk of Sacred Heart, Highland Falls; and Catholic Charities Board Chair, Thomas Strahle.
