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 Catholic Charities E-News
Serving Southwest Florida 
In This Issue
Marian Manor
Catholic Charities of DeSoto County
Swing Baby Swing
School On Wheels
Save the Date!
Walk for the Way
Join Our List
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Quick Links
Celebrating 25 Years of Service Fall 2009
Greetings!
We invite you to take a few minutes to learn more about the work of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. If you have any questions, reply and let us know. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your colleagues, friends and family.
 
How You Can Help...  
Christmas Appeal Needs You  
 
Everyday our Catholic Charities programs strive to provide help and create hope in southwest Florida. With unemployment so high, many families and individuals struggle to pay for food and other basic survival needs such as rent/mortgage, utilities, and prescriptions.
 
Many of our clients have never in their lives asked a charity for help! In fact, even people who previously donated to our work are now seeking assistance.

Please donate to the Christmas Appeal, so Catholic Charities can continue to provide help and create hope for the people who need our help and yours. Thank you for whatever you can give.

Click HERE to donate online.
MARIAN MANOR
Ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony
opens doors to homes for working poor 
 
 
Port Charlotte-An apartment complex designated for low-income families officially opened with a Ribbon Cutting and Blessing Ceremony on October 29 held at the facility, called Marian Manor, located at 4200 Lister Street.
 
Catholic Charities Housing, Diocese of Venice, Inc. and Marian Manor, Inc. hosted the event and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice officiated the ceremony. After the blessing, (Photo above, left to right) Jim Sweeney, Catholic Charities Housing Board Member, Jean Farino and Ana Romillo, Event Co-Chairs, Pat Tyler, Catholic Charities Housing Board Member, Jack Martin, Chair of Catholic Charities Housing Board, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, and Sister Cathy Buster, Vice President of Catholic Charities Housing participated in the traditional ribbon cutting at the front entrance of the apartment complex.
 
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF DESOTO COUNTY
Clients receive a hand up
from hardships of rural living 
 
Arcadia--Foreclosure, unemployment, growing credit card debt, utilities in danger of being shut off, not enough food--these are the dilemmas facing many families and individuals living in rural Florida.

Every day staff at Catholic Charities of DeSoto County hears these tragic stories from clients.

For example, Program Director Andrea Herigodt said the parents of six young boys, ages 3 through 12, recently came to the Arcadia office for assistance. After losing their residence to Hurricane Charley in 2004, the family had rebounded and purchased a home with the help of a post-disaster program...until the father was injured.
 
SWING BABY SWING 
Event goers step it up for Our Mother's House

Sarasota--The dance floor was lively with patrons at Swing Baby Swing on October 30 at Michael's On East. This first annual fundraiser for Our Mother's House of Catholic Charities proved to be a swinging time for the 109 guests that attended the event that featured a 40s style theme and big band music.
 
The evening began with accordionist Chuck Henry treating guests to popular tunes of the World War II era during the cocktail hour. At the start of the dinner, an exciting rendition of "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" was played by the George W. Carroll 17-piece Orchestra accompanied by swing dancers from Dance Fusion. Carroll's band kept the dance floor full for the remainder of the evening where the dancers mingled with patrons.
SCHOOL ON WHEELS 
Catholic Charities program teaches 
women basic survival English 

Immokalee--School on Wheels of Catholic Charities is an English as a second language program that is held in the homes of migrant or other disadvantaged women. The women cannot go anywhere else to learn English because they have small children and/or lack transportation. The need for these women to speak English is essential to their survival.

Once a week, female volunteer tutors teach needy women basic, survival English during 90-minute sessions. These lessons empower students to take better care of their families, gain employment, talk to teachers or doctors--to become more self-sufficient. The program currently has a waiting list of students because volunteer tutors are needed.
 
SAVE THE DATE! 
Fundraising season is underway    
 
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice kicked off its fundraising season with Swing Baby Swing held October 30 for Our Mother's House (see related story in this newsletter).
 
There are many exciting opportunities to support your favorite Catholic Charities programs while having a good time. Enjoy a colorful experience of dancing and dining at the first annual Salsa Steps fundraiser for the Foreclosure Prevention and Housing Program of Catholic Charities of Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
 
The dinner dance will be held Friday, November 13 at Michael's On East in Sarasota at 7 p.m. This exciting event will feature a blend of international Latin-infused cuisine, dancing to the music of Infinidad Orchestra, and a showcase performance of Salsa dancers. Tickets are $125 which includes an open bar. For tickets or more information, please call Catholic Charities at 941-379-9111, ext. 300.

Click below for a complete list of upcoming events in your area!
 
WALK FOR THE WAY
Catholic Charities of Collier County
makes strides for United Way

 

Naples--Catholic Charities of Collier County staff members Teresita Delgado (left to right), Daisy Duran, Raquel Gonzalez, Bob Saunders, Sharon Kirkpatrick, Deb Hoefling and Marta Adkins among others participated in the Fourth Annual Walk for the Way on September 26 at North Collier Regional Park. The 2.5 mile walk benefited the United Way of Collier County, which supports 28 local social service agencies. The Catholic Charities Team recruited 50 walkers and won the prize for the most participants...a meal at Jason's Deli. Congratulations!
 
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. serves the ten-county area of Southwest Florida.