Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc.

Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal 
needs your help and support

                                                DONATE NOW!

The second annual Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal takes place in December 2003 through January 2004. Last year's Christmas Appeal raised $70,000 and helped keep many of Catholic Charities' 27 programs serving clients all year long.

The Board of Directors has set this year's goal at $84,000 but hope donors will respond generously enough to reach the $100,000 mark.

Catholic Charities' mission of "Providing Help. Creating Hope." to those in need in our ten-county diocese has been jeopardized by recent cuts in federal and state funding that have eliminated some services while severely reducing others.

We Ask For Help Because They Can't....

Here are just a few brief descriptions of some of the many programs and services that Catholic Charities provides for those in need through your help, prayers and support.

Day Care

In downtown Sarasota, St. Martha's Day Care Center provides child care with developmental, educational, and social components for toddlers and children to age four. Many of the parents that come to the center each work two jobs in order to make their limited budget work.

Direct Financial Assistance

In Sarasota and Manatee counties, there are hundreds of needy families seeking crisis assistance to help with rent, utility bills and critical prescription medicines. Catholic Charities does the most with limited resources. Many times during the past year we ran out of direct assistance funds prior to the end of the month.

Elderly

Right now, there is an elderly woman struggling to maintain her independence and stay out of a nursing home. She receives help to perform daily tasks from our elderly outreach program in Collier County. 

Families and  Children

In Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Clewiston and LaBelle, Hispanic Services of Catholic Charities focuses on the needs of children and families with after-school tutoring, English classes, Families Advancing program, shoe vouchers and array of support programs.

Alzheimer's Caregivers

In Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, clients with Alzheimer's Disease and their caregivers are provided with respite care and support services at the Catholic Charities "A Special Place" program.

Single Mothers

A working single mother comes to our Family Resource Center in Naples for food and occasional assistance with a utility bill. She and her children need your help in order to make ends meet this Christmas.

Migrant Workers and Families

In the Arcadia area, there are migrant worker families who come to our Catholic Charities center in DeSoto County seeking the most basic of survival needs. We help by providing food from our small pantry, donated clothes for children and adults, and small amounts of direct assistance.

Expectant Mothers

Today in Lee County, we are helping young mothers and expectant mothers whose babies need clothing, diapers and other material needs. The Clare House program of Catholic Charities serves these struggling young families who are trying to make a better tomorrow for their toddlers and newborns.

All proceeds from the Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal will go to the Catholic Charities programs who serve those in need in the Diocese of Venice, Florida regardless of race, color or creed.

Click here if you are interested in donating online to the Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal.

Click here to print off a mail-in coupon for a tax-deductible donation to the Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal.

Click here to contact the diocesan development office of Catholic Charities.