With just a month to go, the Catholic Courier/Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal remains short of results from the highly successful 2020-21 campaign.
The appeal, which is in its 52nd year, raises money for the emergency funds of the various Catholic Charities offices and affiliated agencies throughout the Diocese of Rochester.
As of Jan. 21, the 2021-22 campaign had raised $43,896.03 from 417 donors, according to the Courier’s circulation coordinator, Eileen Ouweleen, who oversees the appeal. Although this figure surpassed the campaign’s $40,000 goal, last year’s campaign raised $51,270, exceeding the prior year’s tally by more than $11,000.
“Eleven thousand dollars means more than most of us can fathom,” said Marcus Ebenhoe, director of advocacy and parish social ministry for Catholic Charities Family & Community Services. “It is the difference between someone with gloves on their hands or ending up in the emergency room with frostbite. It’s the difference between a family having a turkey for the holidays instead of cereal or ramen noodles. It means the difference between a refugee family being able to buy some familiar comfort food their first week in America instead of struggling to learn how to make Hamburger Helper.”
Some donations were made through the United Way’s annual ROC the Day fundraising event, which took place Dec. 1, 2021. During this 24-hour event for Rochester-area not-for-profit organizations, the Christmas Appeal raised $1,020.25 from 22 donors, marking a drop of more than $2,300 from the prior year’s ROC the Day results, Ouweleen said.
The appeal continues through Feb. 28. To contribute, please send checks payable to Christmas Appeal to the Catholic Courier, PO Box 24379, Rochester, NY 14624. Please include your name, address, city, state, ZIP code and telephone number, and indicate whether the gift is being made in honor or memory of someone.
“What we see is that the money collected by the Catholic Courier/Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal goes to a dozen and a half community organizations who recognize and lift up the dignity of every person. What only God sees is how these donations act as ripples of kindness and love that radiate through our community,” Ebenhoe added.
For more information on the appeal, visit https://catholic courier.com/faith-and-family/christmas-appeal.
