Donations from a variety of sources helped the 44th-annual Catholic Courier/Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal attain more than 90 percent of its $50,000 target goal.
The 2013-14 appeal had garnered $45,285 as of the official closing date of Feb. 28, according to Donna Stubbings, appeal coordinator and circulation manager for the Catholic Courier and El Mensajero Cat√≥lico newspapers. This represented an increase of more than $5,000 over the previous year’s $40,264 total.
Stubbings acknowledged that diversity played a role in this success. In addition to the many repeat donors from past Christmas Appeals, she noted that $602 was raised from the appeal’s third-annual Bowl-A-Thon, held Feb. 22 at L&M Lanes in Rochester; $973 came from the third-annual ROC the Day, an online communitywide fundraising event that took place Dec. 11; and 60 first-time donors contributed to the appeal. In addition, $600 was given by an anonymous contributor who pledged $10 for each new donor.
Christmas Appeal money benefits the emergency funds of various Catholic Charities and affiliated agencies throughout the Diocese of Rochester. Appeal funds are used throughout the year to help meet the basic needs of people facing short-term financial crises who aren’t eligible or haven’t yet qualified for other forms of aid.
Donations are welcomed at any time of the year and will now go toward the 2014-15 campaign. To donate, visit www.catholiccourier.com/christmas-appeal/. Or, simply mail a check to the Catholic Courier, PO Box 24379, Rochester, NY 14624. Checks should be made payable to the Christmas Appeal.
