Catholic Charities’ Volunteer Recognition Dinner honors over 50,000 hours of service

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Catholic News Agency

By Elizabeth Paseur
For Today’s Catholic

Catholic Charities would like to take the opportunity to thank one integral part of our organization — volunteers. Volunteers find a way to make the time to come and help accomplish what a few of us cannot do alone.

From January to May of this year, 1,285 Catholic Charities’ volunteers and interns gave over 52,000 hours of service to our community. These dedicated individuals renovated the Guadalupe Community Center, started and expanded the St. Phocas Community Garden, facilitated the move of Precious Minds, New Connections and The Nurse Family Partnership programs, helped us raise over 70,000 pounds of food for 40 Cans for Lent, ran several events and wellness fairs, facilitated the settlement of hundreds of refugees, managed the wellbeing of senior citizens, assisted with displaced women and children from the state facility closings in south Texas and so much more.

Recently, Catholic Charities held their Volunteer Recognition Dinner at San Fernando Hall. The event was an opportunity to thank volunteers and give them something back for going above and beyond expectations in 2015. While all program volunteers were recognized, The Foster Grandparent Program was acknowledged for making an enduring impact in San Antonio for 50 years. Program Volunteers of the Year and the Agency Volunteer of the Year were also recognized. These individuals were truly an amazing help with making the impossible a reality and they constantly make a difference not only in their programs, but in the agency as a whole, through their dedication to the clients Catholic Charities serves.

Agency Volunteer of the Year
Caritas Legal Services — Fred Schellenberg

Program Volunteers of the Year
Guardianship — Phillip Walker
Financial Wellness and Care — LaVonna Stewart
Court Monitor — Marty Lailson
RSVP — Miguel Calvillo
FGP — Trine Lopez
Refugee — Joan Schmelzle
Seton Home — Maria Rocha
Guadalupe Home — Ana Alvarado
Parent Talk — Mendy Kelly
After School and Summer Youth — Valerie Orozco
Food Pantry — Mike Kurz
40 Cans for Lent — Dr. Richard Clemons and Patrick Clemons
St. Phocas Community Garden — Mary Mahlie
Guadalupe Community Center (GCC) Special Programs — Andrew Carrillo

When asked about the value of volunteers, Catholic Charities’ President/CEO Antonio Fernandez shared: “We may not say it enough, but thank you to our volunteers and everyone who helps us provide for the needs of our community through selfless service under the sign of love. We truly could not do it without you.”

Elizabeth Paseur is the communications coordinator for Catholic Charities.