Centennial GALA a Smashing Success

yshulman — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:41:36 +0000

Our 2012 Centennial GALA, held at The Davenport Hotel on Friday, May 4th, was incredible from beginning to end. A pre-GALA reception in the Elizabethan Room brought together and celebrated many of our past Bishop’s Medal Recipients. The GALA Social Hour and Dinner followed in the Hall of Doges and in the Pennington Ballroom. The dinner was a sell-out and a buffet was also served in the Elizabethan Room for many Catholic Charities staff members. Dancing to ‘Serenade” commenced after dinner and program, and many folks rocked late into the night.

The program included a dramatic presentation by amateur actors who told the stories of 5 actual Catholic Charities clients, three of who were present at the GALA. Awards were then presented: Janine Rowan, a CAPA Doula since 1993 is our 2012 volunteer of the Year; Gene DiRe, Associate Director of Catholic Charities, who has worked above and beyond for more than 26 years, received the Donna Hanson Award, and the Sisters of Providence, who have given so much to Catholic Charities in donations, support, and commitment for 100 years, were awarded the prestigious 2012 Bishop’s Medal. Rob McCann, CC Executive Director, expressed gratitude to everyone and asked all to be our Partners in Compassion to help us continue the important work we do in the name of all of you.

We thank our wonderful sponsors, as well as all of you who attended and/or donated to the event. We are already planning for and looking forward to next year’s 5th Annual GALA.

Below: Gene DiRe, Associate Director for Catholic Charities, is the recipient of the Donna Hanson Award (pictured with Pam Brown, Director of Community Counseling, and Msgr Frank Bach); The Sisters of Providence, recipients of the prestigious Bishop’s Medal (pictured with Bishop Blase Cupich); and Janine Rowan, Volunteer of the Year (pictured with Brigid Krause, Volunteer Services Manager and Gene DiRE) Special thanks to Heylman Martin Architects, our Signature Sponsor, and to the rest of our wonderful sponsors for their commitment and generosity.

For more GALA photos, go to www.catholiccharitiesevents.com