The payoff is in the giving
Bishop Richard Stika gets newscaster Kris Farley of WATE-6 TV to lose her composure.
I received good news today from Catholic Charities of East Tennessee - my donation of photographic services at their annual dinner helped to raise $107,347 for the evening! Wonderful!
Keynote speaker, local radio personality Hallerin Hilton Hill, delivered a powerful message of being your brother's keeper.
Good times during the pre-dinner cocktail hour.
This money means that Catholic Charities can assist thousands of persons across East Tennessee - regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, creed, or religion - in meeting their needs. I am especially honored to know that I assisted in raising funds for Columbus Home, their program for children who have been abused or neglected. We are approaching April, which is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. That cause is dear to me: I hate seeing the vulnerable being abused and sadly children are all too often the victims. I was fortunate to have two loving parents who raised us in a good home, but who also imparted on us the importance of giving back.
Kris Farley interviews Judge Tim Irwin on his program within the Children's Emergency Shelter during the event.
The audience is appreciative during the presentations.
In the Catholic faith, we often hear that stewardship is supported by our time, talents, and treasures. For whatever reason, God gave me the ability to create an image with a camera. The least I can do is to use it to serve His people. I support Catholic Charities and I hope this blog post can get their message out there. I invite you to visit their website to learn more about their work to bring charity to our area.
I am always happy to run into my friend, Justin Cardinal Rigali, at any diocesan event.