Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Raises Over $2 Million in Record-Breaking Annual Fundraiser, Celebrates 125 Years of Transformative Service!
Brooklyn, NY – Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens raised over $2 million in a record-breaking annual fundraiser on Thursday, September 26 at the 2024 Bishop’s Humanitarian Award Dinner. Held at Cipriani Wall Street, all proceeds benefit the agency’s more than 160+ programs and services.
At the event, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens presented Thomas J. Grech, president and chief executive officer of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, and Robert J. Pape, Jr., of The Paul L. Martin Charitable Trust, with the Bishop’s Humanitarian Award. Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens also presented Francesca Yellico, executive director of Bridge to Life, with the Ubi Caritas Award, and Vincent D. LeVien, director of external affairs at DeSales Media Group, with the Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Service Award. Reverend Monsignor Robert J. Romano, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Brooklyn and assistant chief chaplain for the NYPD served as the Master of Ceremonies
Reverend Monsignor John Bracken, 125th Anniversary Dinner Committee Chair and pastor of St. Francis De Sales in Queens began the evening’s celebration with an invocation.
The 2024 Bishop’s Humanitarian Award Dinner was co-chaired by the Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, serving the people of Brooklyn and Queens. “In a special way celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of a wonderful organization”, said Bishop Brennan. “Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has a long-standing tradition of serving the most vulnerable among us, embodying the values of faith, hope, and charity in all that they do. Let us continue to be the hands and feet of Christ in our world. Let us work together to ensure that every individual we encounter knows they are seen, valued, and loved. Our work is not done until every person in Brooklyn and Queens can live with dignity, security, and hope.”
Reverend Monsignor Alfred P. LoPinto, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, emphasized the importance of donor support for the agency’s work and highlighted the 125th anniversary. “Your support tonight and throughout the year is so vital in enabling us to continue providing our neighbors with the helping hand they need to get back on their feet again.”
Very Reverend Patrick J. Keating, Esq., deputy chief executive officer of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, had the distinct privilege of introducing and presenting the evening’s honorees. “The lives and work of our honorees exemplify the spirit of compassion and selflessness. They have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to service and justice.”
The Bishop’s Humanitarian Award is presented annually to an individual who shows personal commitment to the well-being of the residents of our diocese. The Ubi Caritas Award is presented for distinguished, unselfish support of human services as a reminder that true charity is the response of the human heart of God’s love for all people. The Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Service Award is presented in memory of Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan, an ardent advocate for social justice who dedicated more than 50 years to improving the lives of New Yorkers in need. The Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Service Award is given to honor others who have followed in his footsteps by devoting their lives to the people of Brooklyn and Queens.
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens also presented the 2024 John J. Farrell Award to Leocadia Hernandez and Brenda Rodriguez who have reached 30 years of service at the agency.
The event included a mini-documentary video highlighting the important work of Catholic Charities’ 125 years of service to the people of Brooklyn and Queens, a silent auction, and entertainment by Joe Piscopo.
The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D., Bishop Emeritus of Brooklyn concluded the evening with a benediction.
The link for the digital journal can be found here: https://www.ccbq.org/2024-bishops-humanitarian-award-dinner-2/
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Captioned photo below:
Credit: Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens
Pictured from left to right: Very Reverend Patrick J. Keating, Esq., Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and Affiliated Agencies; Reverend Monsignor Robert J. Romano, Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Brooklyn and Assistant Chief Chaplain, NYPD; Robert J. Pape, Jr., of The Paul L. Martin Charitable Trust; Thomas J. Grech, President and Chief Executive Officer, Queens Chamber of Commerce; Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn; Francesca Yellico, Executive Director, Bridge to Life; Vincent D. LeVien, Director of External Affairs, DeSales Media Group; and Reverend Monsignor Alfred P. LoPinto, President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and Affiliated Agencies.
Media Coverage:
CCBQ Honors Community Leaders at Bishop’s Humanitarian Dinner, The Tablet
Catholic Charities raises record-breaking $2 million at annual Bishop’s Humanitarian Dinner, Brooklyn Daily Eagle
For 125 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing social services to those in need, now offering more than 160 programs serving 500,000 people annually. Since 1975, Catholic Charities has built more than 4,500 units of affordable housing. Last year, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens provided $6.5 million in food assistance at 60 parish-based food pantries, community centers and distribution events, as well as meal delivery to homebound seniors.