Annual appeal raises $8.3M
in spite of tough economy

J.D. Long-Garía/CATHOLIC SUN

Fr. Greb Schlarb, vicar of Stewardship, Julie Nackard, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted and Patrick Nackard pose for a photo May 25 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.

Participation up from 2009

The 2010 Charity and Development Appeal wrapped up last month after raising $8.3 million and boasting a significant increase in participation in spite of a struggling economy.

Missie D’Aunoy, director of the Office of Stewardship for the Diocese of Phoenix, said that 42,790 families participated in the 2010 CDA, representing an increase of more than 5,000 families from last year’s total. About one in three families contributed to the CDA during 2010, D’Aunoy said.

And while the CDA finished short of its goal of $10 million, D’Aunoy was pleased with the increased participation in the diocese as well as a greater understanding among the faithful of what stewardship entails.

“We will be able to support over 65 charities and missions across the diocese,” D’Aunoy said. “We are trying to introduce the concept that the CDA is a way to share, pray and give, because those are the most important elements of stewardship.”

Patrick and Julie Nackard, who co-chaired this year’s CDA, had named increased participation in the appeal as one of their top goals. They, too, were pleased with the final totals.

“In this economy we did a great job, even though we didn’t meet the full financial goal,” Patrick said. “This year we asked for more people to give and they responded with 30.7 percent participation, up from 27.9 percent last year.”

Patrick also lauded the efforts of Catholic school students toward helping the CDA fund the many charitable works and missions in the Diocese of Phoenix.

“Our Catholic School students raised $20,500, an increase over last year,” Patrick said. The 2009 appeal was the first year that students in the diocese’s school were encouraged to contribute.

Growing need

Across the Phoenix Diocese, requests for services have increased as the economy continues to falter. The Foundation for Senior Living, which assists thousands of elderly and disabled adults find affordable housing, adult day health services, respite care and other services, is one of the many organization that benefits from contributions to the CDA.

Kay Allen, transitional director of the Aid to Women Center in Tempe, said increased funding from the CDA helped keep the doors of the clinic open this year.

“Without that funding, we would have had to lay people off and cut our hours at the AWC,” Allen said. Instead, the clinic, which offers pregnancy tests and prenatal care, as well as other services, was able to increase its hours and outreach to the university community.

The HOPE Mobile Unit, which provides free ultrasound exams to women who may be considering abortion, also receives funds from the CDA.

Fr. Gregory Schlarb, vicar of stewardship for the Phoenix Diocese, said the response to the 2010 CDA was tremendous, and was particularly thankful for the leadership the Nackards gave.

“I want to especially thank our co-chairs, Pat and Julie Nackard, because their hard work and focus on asking more people to give resulted in a 14.2 percent increase in gifts,” Fr. Schlarb said. The increase in giving means 5,323 more people gave to the CDA this year.

“Some pastors went the extra mile to promote the many benefits the CDA-sponsored services and ministries, and it is my hope that more will follow their example,” Fr. Schlarb said.