In a surprise gesture after the news conference, Charlie
Joyce announced he “just pledged another $100,000 to match donations,
preferably small donations, but whatever they want to do, to help close this
gap and give us a jump start for the next couple weeks to help bring us over
the campaign total.”
“This is a challenging year, but far too many in our
community have come to rely on Catholic Charities when they have nowhere else
to turn,” said Joyce, chairman of the board of Otis Eastern Service. “I personally
invite others, who are able to give, to think of the people for whom this
Appeal makes a difference and to support the 2019 Appeal. Every gift, no matter
the amount, is important. My father was the one who taught me to share from my
blessings, to help people in need. In fact, Father’s Day is nearly here and
it’s a perfect opportunity to honor our fathers for all they instilled in us.”
Joyce has been a longtime benefactor of the Appeal, which
supports Catholic Charities and the Fund for the Faith, and the community at
large. In 2012, his donation made possible the establishment of the Catholic
Charities Wellsville Food Pantry and Outreach. The community was underserved
and Joyce stepped forward to help when asked. Earlier this year he made a
$10,000 donation directly to the pantry.
In recognition of his ongoing generosity, Catholic Charities
will be renaming the site to the Joyce Family Food Pantry and Outreach later
this year. The pantry has served more than 2,000 individuals and nearly 900
families since it launched, and many more have received clothing and supplies
from the Thrift Store which opened in 2016.
“Charlie has generously supported the Appeal year after
year, both personally and corporately through his company and on behalf of all
of us at Catholic Charities, we are overwhelmed by and very grateful for this
gift,” said Dennis C. Walczyk, president and CEO, Catholic Charities. “While we
cannot individually thank all our donors in this way, we are truly grateful for
the continued generosity we have received for the 2019 Appeal. This is a
sizeable shortfall compared with previous years at this time, but we cannot
afford to lose hope. We urge Western New Yorkers to step up to help put food on
the table of a family struggling with medical bills, support counseling for a
child who has experienced trauma, and provide day care for a frail senior and
respite for her caregiver.”
Currently, the 2019 Appeal has raised $8.9 million
($8,917,414.71) or 81% of this year’s $11 million goal since it began in January.
Donations can be made securely online at ccwny.org/donation or by calling
716-218-1400 through June 30.
“The fact remains that more than 150,000 of our most
vulnerable neighbors across Western New York rely on the programs and services
provided by Catholic Charities,” said Appeal Co-Chair John Daly. “Thank you to
Charlie for your unwavering support in helping to get us closer to our 2019
Appeal goal. Western New Yorkers are generous and compassionate, and we hope
that they continue to give hope to our neighbors who need it most through the
support of the 2019 Appeal.”
The annual Appeal helps fund 70 programs and services
administered by Catholic Charities across 61 sites in the eight counties of
Western New York, along with a number of programs and ministries that benefit
all parishes through the Fund for the Faith. The theme of this year’s Appeal is
“Help Your Neighbor Find Hope” and the patron saint is St. Faustina.
