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November 6, 2018 | The Valley Catholic
COMMUNITY
By Gregory Kepferle
CEO, Catholic Charities of
Santa Clara County and
President, Charities Housing
Development Corporation
As we prepare to celebrate this sea-
son of hope and sharing, my heart is
fi lled with gratitude for the abundance
of generosity from Catholic Charities
supporters. Thanks to our donors who
invest their wealth and their wisdom,
Catholic Charities continues to succeed
in changing lives for good. We see signs
of hope every day. From the child who
has learned to read at grade level to
Gratitude
the senior whose hunger is sated by a
hot healthy meal. From the orphaned
refugee girl whose life is saved from
traffi ckers to the citizen returning to
society from jail, who now has a decent
job. From the immigrant who passed
her citizenship exam to the father
reconciled with his children. From the
young man freed from gang involve-
ment to the once homeless family who
now has a permanent home.
I am encouraged by the founda-
tions, corporations, government agen-
cies, and individual donors who trust
Catholic Charities to do quality work.
They are investing in us even more as
they see the amazing results with our
clients thanks to the quality work of
our compassionate staff and volunteers.
As our community has asked Catho-
lic Charities to do even more, the
agency has stepped up. Yet more needs
to be done. Today, we especially need
more help for those who are struggling
with housing and food. More children
need our after school education sup-
port. More seniors need our senior
support services and clients struggling
with mental illness need our behavioral
health services. Families struggling
with poverty and the high cost of living
need help making ends meet.
I invite you to join me in investing
in Catholic Charities, so we can be
there for these families who have the
courage to knock on our doors asking
for help to turn their lives around.
Join us as we impact poverty through
food, housing, health, education and
economic security.
With your contribution, together we
will continue to change lives for good.
Many blessings in this season of
Thanksgiving.
To invest in Catholic Charities, go to
www.CatholicCharitiesSCC.org.
CAREGIVER-ELDERCARE
IN-HOME CARE AGENCY
We are offering COMPETITVE
Rates & Flexible Schedules
408-677-3682 | 408-613-7189
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CCH153_CarDonateAd2_4.937x6in_PressQuality.pdf
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Catholic Charities staff and volunteers coordinate donations of Christmas gifts for people
in need. Last year, One Workplace was one of several local businesses that collected toys
and gifts for the Season of Sharing program.
Season of Sharing Makes Christmas
Brighter for our Neighbors in Need
C
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CMY
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Donating Your Vehicle
Rebuilds Hope
Vehicle Donations Support Catholic Charities’
Refugee Resettlement Program
Free Towing • Fast & Easy • 100% Tax Deductible
Contact Us Today at CarDonationCC.org or 1 (866) 565-5912
You can make Christmas brighter
for a needy senior or family this year.
Catholic Charities’ Season of Shar-
ing program collects gifts for indi-
viduals and families who will have
little or nothing under the tree on
Christmas morning. Last year, more
than 2,000 Christmas gifts were dis-
tributed to grateful Catholic Charities
clients of all ages.
Please consider donating an un-
wrapped gift this year or getting
your organization, parish, club or
corporation to participate as a group.
One idea is hosting a “Party With a
Purpose” and asking guests to bring
an unwrapped gift to donate to Sea-
son of Sharing.
Items needed include:
• Gift cards to stores (especially
Target, Walmart, Safeway and
gas cards)
• Ga me s, toys, b o ok s, sp or t s
equipment, dolls, and crafts –
infants to teens
• Sweatshirts, gloves, hats and
socks for kids, teens and adults
• Blankets
• Personal hygiene items includ-
ing toothbrushes, soap, shampoo
and deodorant
“We are so thankful to all of the
individuals, parishes and corpora-
tions who participated last year,”
said Susan Lucas Taylor, Catholic
Charities Chief Development Offi-
cer. “Together, we can brighten this
Christmas season for thousands of
families!”
The Season of Sharing program runs
through December 20. For more infor-
mation or to set up a donation pick-up,
please call (408) 325-5125 or email
[email protected].