Catholic Charities of Buffalo has announced a goal of $10.7 million for this year's Appeal. The 2013 drive is Bishop Richard Malone's first Appeal in Buffalo since being installed last August. Bishop Malone appeared this morning with Catholic Charities leaders to launch the 89th annual campaign.
"I truly look forward to witnessing, first-hand, the legendary and amazing generosity and support the Western New York community and the Diocese of Buffalo is so well known for," Malone said.
Tuesday's launch was held at the Monsignor Carr Clinic on Rich Street in Buffalo, one of Catholic Charities' mental health clinics for children and adults. Catholic Charities serves more than 130,000 people across the Western New York region.
This year's goal is $100,000 higher than the 2012 campaign. Appeal week will be held the week of March 17. The drive will run through June 30.
This year's drive chairman is businessman Stephen Ulrich. Ulrich outlined several challenges in order to reach this year's $10.7 million goal He said that includes growth in corporate giving and reaching out to area parishes.
"At the parish level, our average gift each year continues to grow and is now the highest in the history of the appeal," said Ulrich. "And despite donor loss driven by demographic trends, we still have 60,000 donors to this Appeal. That's a remarkable number."