Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will host the 2000 Catholic Charities Appeal Kickoff on

Monday, April 10, 2000
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Broad and Cherry Streets
Philadelphia

Entertainment will be provided by St. Aloysius Academy Boys Choir under the direction of Sister Saint Elizabeth. Additional music by concerto soloists. On hand to celebrate with the Cardinal will be: Bishop Robert P. Maginnis, General Chairman of the Appeal; Mr. Brian J. Gail, Chairman of Special Gifts Committee; and many parishioners and friends.

For more than forty years, the Catholic Charities Appeal of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has reached out to those who need help the most — the poor, the handicapped, the sick and the hungry. Its programs provide services to more than 250,000 people annually.

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THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL

The Catholic Charities Appeal raises the dollars necessary to fund the human services programs of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. These programs serve persons within the five counties that comprise the Archdiocese (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia). Agencies, institutions and programs funded by the Catholic Charities Appeal serve people of all faiths, regardless of race, sex, age, handicap, national or ethnic origin, or ability to pay. The services that the Archdiocese provides reflect a belief in the sanctity of human life, the dignity of the individual, and the central role of the family in life and society. Funds raised though the annual solicitation are used to underwrite the financial costs for designated agencies, institutions and programs.

The Catholic Charities Appeal provides individuals an opportunity to practice stewardship by sharing gifts of time, talent and treasure.

SERVICES PROVIDED

In 1998-99, over 70 agencies, schools, programs, and residences provided loving care and support to over 250,000 men, women and children throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. Catholic Social Services, a major recipient of these funds, is the largest private provider of human services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and serves an overall client base approximately 50% non-Catholic.

The following statistics illustrate the vast and profound impact that the Catholic Charities Appeal has in transforming the lives of people throughout the area:

Nutritional Development Services provided over 8 million meals to children and needy persons, a six-percent increase over the previous year.

St. John's Hospice provided for the essential needs of more than 22,000 homeless men and served over 60,000 meals.

Mercy Hospice and Women of Hope Programs provided shelter, mental and physical health care, and educational and job skills counseling to over 4,000 women as well as serving nearly 19,000 meals.

The AIDS Ministry provides prayerful support and service to those infected and impacted by HIV/AIDS. Informative programs in both an educational and parish setting reached over 3,000 each year.

Five schools of special education had 374 students enrolled for the 1999-2000 school year.

Ten Family Service Centers served more than 60,000 clients in 1998-99.

Foster Family Care and Residential Programs provided a caring environment for over 3,100 children.

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747