Donors to Make a Difference in the Lives of Thousands in 2012

Hartford, Conn. – (January 17, 2012) Archbishop Henry J. Mansell welcomed a crowd of over 225 donors who attended a luncheon in Wolcott on Sunday, January 15, launching the 2012 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

Photo by Maria Zone

Making A Difference is the theme of the 2012 Appeal and donors watched a video describing the many ways that their donations would impact the lives of thousands of people in Connecticut.

In the video, James Burke talked about losing his job, and not being able to afford his blood pressure and heart medications, which totaled $500 a month. He turned to the Malta House of Care medical van, a program supported by the Appeal, and they were able to help him create a payment plan. Now that his health issues are under control, he said he can focus on finding a job.

Cinthia Coto explained how her family received assistance from the Emergency Assistance Fund of the Archbishop’s Appeal, when her family needed help with a security deposit to rent an apartment.

According to the Archbishop, every contribution made to the Appeal goes right back into Connecticut communities to help organizations including food pantries, homeless shelters, health care and mental health services, educational scholarships, youth ministries and seminarian programs.

The 2011 Appeal broke a record in the Archdiocese of Hartford by raising $9,791,564, topping the total from the year before by over half a million dollars.

“Thank you for making the Appeal a great experience of Church, and recognizing the people who are the most needy in our communities,” said the Archbishop.

Aside from the state of Connecticut, the Catholic Church is the biggest contributor to educational, health, social and pastoral services, and the Appeal donors make that possible.