Greensburg Catholic Charities to launch virtual fundraising appeal

When the global pandemic forced them to cancel their largest annual fundraiser, officials with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg decided to look online for support.

A diocesan spokesman said a $50,000 goal has been set for the virtual fund drive, dubbed the Heroes of Hope Guardian Angel Appeal. It offers various levels of sponsorship and launches Oct. 2 at ccharities greensburg.org.

The Catholic human service organization providing assistance to individuals and families in Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland counties is the most recent entrant in the world of virtual fundraisers. Nonprofits began to take efforts online after the coronavirus forced the cancellation of everything ranging from 5Ks to charity balls.

Officials said three Catholic Charities fundraisers have been canceled because of public health concerns: the Paul R. Smiy Memorial Golf Outing, the Designer Purse Bash and Crystal Bake Sale and the annual Salt and Light dinner. The dinner is the organization’s largest fundraiser, bringing in nearly $100,000 annually.

Diocesan spokesman Paul Paterra said an anonymous donor has pledged a $25,000 match contribution to spark giving toward the Heroes of Hope fund drive. He said the ultimate goal is to bring in $50,000 to underwrite help for those struggling with necessitates such as food, utilities water and medical supplies.

“As Catholic Charities continues its work to meet the needs of the people in the four counties of the Diocese of Greensburg, your support of our charitable efforts is more important than ever,” said Monsignor Raymond E. Riffle, managing director of Catholic Charities.

Like the Salt and Light dinner, the Heroes of Hope Guardian Angel fund drive is honoring members of the community, this time with a focus on those who have given their time and talents to support people in need during covid-19.

This year’s honorees, all of whom continued to serve the community throughout the pandemic, include:

• Dr. Heather Walker, assistant director of emergency medicine, Excela Health Westmoreland, parishioner of Saint Vincent Basilica, Latrobe

• Cathy Duez, treasurer, Tri-City Meals on Wheels, parishioner of Ascension Parish, Jeannette

• Jeff Peterinelli, firefighter, Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department, parishioner of St. Bruno Parish, Greensburg, and a Grand Knight for Knights of Columbus Council 1480

• Ashley Chappell, Mutual Aid, parishioner of St. Paul Parish, Greensburg

• Anne Kovalcik and Debbie Sorce, parishioners of Church of the Good Shepherd Parish, Kent, for Pain into Purpose, a project through which wedding gowns are repurposed for infants who are seriously ill to be baptized at the hospital

• Joe Rice, principal, Aquinas Academy, parishioner of Christ the King Parish, Leechburg.