2008 Providing HELP Creating HOPE Luncheon a Huge Success

Catholic Charities hosted its 2nd. Annual Providing Help Creating Hope Fundraiser Luncheon on April 29, 2008. The event was attended by more than 800 individuals and sponsors and raised an estimated $70,000 in proceeds.
See event pictures
THANK YOU!
Catholic Charities of Central Texas hosted the 2008 Providing Help Creating Hope Fundraiser Luncheon on April 29th at the Downtown Hilton in Austin, Texas.
The event featured keynote speaker, Linda Schaefer, photojournalist & author of “Come and See: A Photojournalists Journey into the World of Mother Teresa” and also honored the Faithful Citizenship Committee of the Diocese of Austin for their dedication in promoting social justice.
The fundraiser was a huge success for Catholic Charities, raising an estimated $70,000 through sponsorship, ticket, and book sales. More than 800 sponsors and individuals from all over Central Texas attended the sold-out event.
This year's event pictures
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Event Proceeds
All proceeds from the fundraiser will directly benefit families in need, through the family strengthening program which provides direct assistance such as rent, utility, and food assistance. Emergency financial services are further supplemented with life skills workshops that teach about budgeting, health and nutrition, job search skills and other topics that empower families and promote self-sufficiency.
“We are very proud of our sponsors, donors, and volunteer base for their support and dedication to serving the poor and vulnerable,” said Cynthia Colbert, executive director of Catholic Charities of Central Texas. “Their generous gifts of time, talents and treasures truly provide help and create hope for thousands of families in Central Texas.”
Catholic Charities of Central Texas works to strengthen families and communities through direct service, community collaboration, and social justice advocacy. In 2007, Catholic Charities provided assistance to more than 11,000 in a 25 county service area.
Fast Facts about the Luncheon:
- Sponsors This fundraiser luncheon was made possible by Seton Family of Hospitals and all of the wonderful supporters who have generously sponsored this event.
- Keynote Speaker Linda Schaefer, spoke about her experience with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity during her time in Calcutta, Inda. .
- Special Guest Most Reverend Gregory Aymond was in attendance.
- Award Winners The event also honored the Faithful Citizenship Committee of the Diocese of Austin for their outstanding role in advancing the mission of the Catholic Charities.
- Proceeds The event proceeds will fund services that promote self sufficiency and the empowerment of families and individuals of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds in the 25-counties of the Diocese of Austin.
View complete list of sponsors.
Read Bishop's Interview: "Providing hope for those living in darkness"
Topics of Discussion:
Catholic Charities
Fundraiser Luncheon and Keynote Speaker
News Reports about Mother Teresa's Crisis of Faith
Faithful Citizenship Committee winner of the 2008 Sister Helen Brewer - Social Justice Advocacy Award
Committee Members:
Tom Windberg - Ignatius, Austin
Margie Medrano – St. Theresa, Austin
Steve Voytovich – St. Catherine of Sienna, Austin
Br. Richard Daly, CSC - St. Edward's Univ.
Sr. Helen Brewer, DC - Seton Family of Hospitals
Colleen and Clint Smith - St. Ignatius, Austin
Deacon Dan and Belinda Ozuna - St. Mary, Taylor
Melinda Habingreither - Campus Ministry, Texas State Univ.
Deacon Ray and Joanne Sanders - St. Albert the Great, Austin
For complete information, contact Tod Stehling at 512-651-6100 ext. 105.
Fundraiser Luncheon Event Sponsors
Event sponsorship opportunities are still available. Click here to become a sponsor.
TITLE SPONSOR

- Seton Family of Hospitals
Partners in FAITH
- St. Catherine of Siena Church
- Diocese of Austin
Partners in CHARITY
- Luci Baines Johnson
- Mary and Will Pitts/Pitts Construction, Inc.
- Linda and Cliff Mountain
- John and Cheryl Sauder
- Dr. Jack and Ellie Schneider
- Robert and Kitty Tunmire
- Terri and Chris Von Dohlen
Partners in HOPE
- Pamela and David Allen
- Erin and Boone Almanza
- OH Baby/ The Beathard Family
- Chris and Karla Bell
- Molly and Paul H. Benson IV
- Laura and Steve Beuerlein
- Sarah and Josh Borders
- Alliance Tech/ Art and Marissa Borrego
- Glenn and Elonide Dagian
- Kelly and Tom Daniel and Keili and Tom Smith
- The DeNefe Family
- PMB Helin Donovan, LLP.
- Dolores Catholic Church
- Scott and Toni Donley
- The Earthman Family
- Mary and David Faria
- Lilliana and Joe Garcia
- Dr. and Mrs. William Glade
- Jack and Patti Gullahorn
- The Mark Hawkins and Reagan Nash Families
- Tony and Kristin Holt
- Mary Beth and Jeff Hubenak
- The Hudson Family
- Nancy Jamail
- The John Paul II Life Center/ Pat and Tim Von Dohlen
- LCRA Employees United Charities
- Steve and Marie Marshall
- Joi and Rich Martin
- Eliza May and Tracy Kelly and Cynthia and David Colbert
- The May Family
- Congressman and Mrs. Michael McCaul
- Ann Mclver and Hessie Owen
- Mr. and Mrs. Kevin W. Morse
- Megan Elizabeth Mulva
- The Lou and Audrey Munin Family
- Jennifer and Marc Rodriguez
- Susan and Eric Shaffer
- Dr. and Mrs. George J. Shia
- Dana and Jack Sipes
- Snyder and Belisle Families
- The South Family/South Construction, Inc.
- The Leonard Strickland Family
- St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
- St. John Vianney, Parish Social Ministry
- Frances and Robin Thompson/ Dorothy and Deacon John DeLaGarza
- The Joseph A. Turner Family
- David and Laura Wieland
- Derek and Janet Willis
- Lora and Kent Zarbock
- Diane and Dr. Taimur Zeb
Partner in HELP
- Chris and Ronald Attal
- Marjorie and John Brindley
- Claudia and Michael Burnett
- ANONYMOUS
- Alethea Caspers and Nicole Caspers Tuttle
- Patricia Dolese
- Thom and Kim Everett
- Dr. John and Susan Fox
- Theresa and Rudy Garza
- Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Jim and Jennifer Haley
- HEB
- Flynn Nogueira and John Clark
- Patrick O’Daniel
- Physicians Health Choice – Carmen Ramirez
- Julie and Eric Pastor
- St. John Neumann, Knights of Columbus Council #10836
- Tod and Angelica Stehling
- Unique Pharmaceuticals
- Wachovia Bank
- Dan and Barbara Wheat
- Steve and Amy Younkman
Sponsors as of April 14th.
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Keynote Speaker

Linda Schaefer
Photojournalist and Author
Linda Schaefer is a photographer by trade, but an artist by intuition. Recognized by respected magazines and newspapers, her work has appeared in the New York Times, Catholic Digest, Time and Newsweek, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Parade Magazine, Paris Match, GQ, the Los Angeles Times, and Stern to name a few.
She began her career as a journalist for CNN in 1985, but found she couldn’t loose her first love—still photography. While a freelancer for the Associated Press she decided this would be her full- time occupation.
She traveled to India with her first husband and, following his death in 1992, Linda experienced a flowering of her spiritual life. In 1993, Linda traveled with a Christian medical relief team to Romania. After photographing events in the wake of the end of the Communist dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu, she turned her attention on Croatia and war-torn Bosnia. Back in the United States in June of 1995, Linda had her first contact with Mother Teresa, who was visiting Atlanta.
Traveling to Calcutta several months after meeting Mother Teresa, Linda had the rare opportunity to document the work of the Missionaries of Charity. Thousands of photographs later, select images of that experience were selected for inclusion in her book, “Come and See.”
Linda Schaefer resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her son Paul. She continues to honor the work of Mother Teresa by speaking to groups and organizations. As Mother Teresa often commented, “Each person can make a difference.” That is what Linda seeks to accomplish through her work.
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