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| January 7, 2009 |
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Catholic Charities gala brings needed donationsEvening of glitter benefits basic year-round assistance for poor and underserved.
PEGGY DEKEYSER | FC PENSACOLA | Bonnie Holley bought the raffle ticket mostly to help out Catholic Charities. The widowed mother of three had no idea she’d be the big winner of a racy silver Corvette. The charity marked the 25th anniversary of its Pensacola regional office’s gala Oct. 27 by hosting one of the largest crowds ever to attend the event at St. Anne Parish, earning more than $140,000 for the agency’s works. Called a “major success” by Pensacola regional director Donna Potts, the gala helps support “those in most need of our services.” The agency provides direct assistance for rent, mortgage, utilities and medications, as well as licensed counseling, adoption placement and immigration services for free and reduced prices. Sissie Perry, longtime chairwoman for the event, received a papal blessing from Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, to kick off the evening. Bishop Ricard thanked her for her years of dedication to the charity and her example of caring service to the poor. He also thanked all those who support the agency throughout the year through contributions and volunteering. As the bishop said “Roll tape!” the tribute to Perry, done as an “Angels in Our Midst” segment on local ABC affiliate WEAR-TV, was shown on the large screen on the stage of the parish hall. In it, WEAR-TV anchorwoman and Catholic Charities board member Sue Straughn lauded Perry’s many contributions to the agency and her faith-filled service to the poor. The evening featured hors d’oeuvres and beverages accompanied by the upbeat music of Joe Occhipinti and his band. Both silent and live auctions brought in additional funds as party-goers bid on items ranging from catered dinners and fishing trips to fine art. Excitement peaked at the end of the evening when the winner of the 2007 silver Chevrolet Corvette was announced. Raffle tickets were sold for weeks before the event, as Potts and Pensacola regional board and staff members ferried the car from parish to parish and public events to generate sales.  Courtesy Photo Holley, a longtime member of St. Paul Parish, won the contest. She elected to take the cash option instead of the car, for a $42,000 prize. Holley’s husband, Anson, died in 2005. He had served in the military in Afghanistan for two years and returned home safely in 2003 only to be diagnosed with cancer. The couple’s three daughters are all graduates of St. Paul School and Pensacola Catholic High School. All are on their own or in college. Holley, although still hurting from the loss of her husband, reaches out to find ways to help others, according to Potts. “She is thinking about returning to teaching and serves as one-on-one support to other widows.” Pete Moore, whose Chevrolet dealership supplied the car for the raffle at cost, helped make it possible to exceed the agency’s $125,000 fundraising goal, Potts said. Board and staff members sold 1,098 raffle tickets valued at $100 each, netting $68,000 on the raffle alone. Additional sponsors donated food and beverages for the evening, along with door prizes and silent- and live-auction items. During the evening, youths circulated through the crowd selling silver helium-filled balloons with small prizes inside. “I would love to express my sincerest gratitude to those who attended the gala and to those who sponsored it, to our board members, pastors, parishes, volunteers and staff,” Potts said. “Because of all of them and their efforts, we will be able to better advocate for and serve the needs of the poor and vulnerable. It was especially good to see so many of our pastors in attendance at this year’s gala. I really appreciate their efforts in support of Catholic Charities throughout the year. And a very special thank-you goes to our host pastor, Father Jack Gray, for the warm welcome and hospitality we get each year at St. Anne’s.” Mark Dufva, executive director of Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, commented that this year’s gala was “wonderful.” “The effort that goes into the gala each year — and it’s a major undertaking — is more than worth it when you think about the good we can do to serve poor and vulnerable individuals and families, he said. “Catholic Charities provided service to more than 26,000 clients last year throughout the diocese, fewer than 10 percent of whom are Catholic. Many times, we’re the last-chance agency standing between our clients and homelessness. The services we provide make such a difference in the community. I’m very grateful to all who helped make the gala such a success here in Pensacola.” |
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