Imagine

If you lived in Chicago in 2016, there was no bigger story than the Cubs winning the World Series. We have celebrated championship teams and legendary sports stars before, but the Cubs’ 2016 journey to World Series Champions united the city and state like no other phenomenon. Cub fans around the world had a euphoric sense of joy some said was greater than anything they had experienced in their lives. Others who had never been Cub fans converted this Fall, and almost two months later, it is clear the sustained jubilation will not be subsiding anytime soon.

As 2016 comes to a close, just imagine what could be accomplished if Chicagoans could also come together for another momentous occasion next year?

In 2017, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago will celebrate a remarkable milestone: 100 years serving people in need, day in and day out, 365 days a year. Today, someone turns to Catholic Charities every thirty seconds for help. Catholic Charities provides assistance of all kinds to more than one million people every year, of all races, religions, ethnic and economic backgrounds. Catholic Charities runs 153 programs at 164 service locations across Cook and Lake Counties. After Supper Visions is one of these programs. Every program is designed to offer compassionate assistance, while encouraging clients toward their greatest level of self-sufficiency. The costs are daunting, yet the skilled staff of Catholic Charities continues to accomplish this tremendous feat with 92 cents of every dollar raised going directly to the programs. Perhaps most inspiring of all, the 3000 people who work at Catholic Charities will consistently tell you that they get more than they give at this truly life-saving agency.

Imagine the joy and the impact if every person who united in celebration with the Cubs supported Catholic Charities in some way in 2017, in honor of all the good that Catholic Charities has done in the history of Chicago these past 100 years. Imagine how powerful it would be to have Chicagoans turn out in record numbers to each Catholic Charities event in this extraordinary year (including the 15th Annual ASV Photo Exhibition in June)! Imagine how many more people Catholic Charities could help if they had abundant resources to do so.

Learn more about the inspiring history of Catholic Charities and the many opportunities to get involved at www.catholiccharities.net. Consider adding a volunteer commitment to your New Year’s resolutions. Set aside funds where you can to support a particular program that you are passionate about.  Start today, and “Let Light Shine Out Of Darkness” with a year-end donation to After Supper Visions. Thank you, most sincerely for your consideration.

  “Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another.” 

                                                                                                       St. Vincent de Paul