Catholic Charities of Buffalo is looking for both older adults and volunteers to participate in its free Home Visitation and Friendly Phones programs in Genesee and Orleans counties. 

Both programs depend on dedicated volunteers to provide one-hour weekly visits or phone calls to isolated seniors aged 60 or older who have limited ability to leave their homes.

“Social isolation, especially during the cold and dreary winter months, can impact the health and well-being of older adults,” said Linda Chadderdon, program manager, of Catholic Charities. “Volunteers can help make a difference in alleviating some of the loneliness with regular conversations and socialization.”

During visits, participants and volunteers often engage in friendly conversation and partake in activities such as board games, puzzles, and crafts. Volunteers do not help with personal or medical care, banking, shopping, or transportation.

Interested volunteers must be at least 21 years old, and an interview, and background check are required. Training will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

The Home Visitation Program is funded through a grant from the Muriel H. Marshall Fund through the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

If interested, please call Catholic Charities at 585-343-0614 to request an application as a participant or for more information on volunteering.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo announced the members of its Appeal 2024 leadership team which include Kevin Gannon as chair, Michael Noe, MD, MPH as vice chair, Gina Giese as parish and community division chair, and C. Kevin Brayer and David Wolf as corporate division co-chairs.

After previously serving as both vice chair and parish chair in recent years, Gannon is taking on the role of chair as the annual Appeal marks 100 years in 2024. Gannon is the chief sales officer of Azeros Health Plans and has more than 35 years of experience as a benefits broker. He is a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and serves as a committee member at OLV Homes of Charity. Gannon and his wife reside in Hamburg and belong to Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Hamburg.

Appeal 2024 Vice Chair Noe is an emeritus clinical professor in the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. 

Recently retired, he previously served as associate dean for community relations and clinical affairs and director of the school’s residency program in preventative medicine. Dr. Noe also held various senior administrative positions during his career with Kaleida Health. He is a long-time member of the Bishop’s Council of the Laity and serves on the board of directors at Brothers of Mercy campus facilities, at Harvest House Buffalo, and at The Family Help Center. Dr. Noe resides in Clarence and is a member of St. Gregory the Great Parish in Williamsville.

As parish and community division chair, Giese works with both parish Appeal teams as well as Catholic schools, parish societies and other local organizations throughout the eight counties of Western New York. She is a senior vice president and retail regional manager with M&T Bank and serves on the Genesee Community College Foundation board. Giese and her husband, Deacon Walter Szczesny, are members of Ascension Parish in Batavia.

Brayer returns for his fourth year as corporate division co-chair, to direct a team of volunteer business leaders and develop strategies for seeking contributions from local corporations and small businesses. He is the retired executive director of the St. Bonaventure Buffalo Center and a long-standing parishioner of St. Louis Church. Brayer also serves on the Bishop’s Council of the Laity, the Foundation for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, and the board of directors for the Ronald McDonald House. He resides with his family in Buffalo.

Also named corporate division co-chair, Wolf is a senior financial advisor with Excelsior Financial. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®) designation and has more than 25 years of experience servicing both individual high net worth clients and small businesses. Wolf resides in North Buffalo with his family and are members of St. Mark Parish in Buffalo.

“Volunteers are, and always have been, the backbone of the annual Appeal – their dedication make it happen year after year for the past century,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, president and CEO, Catholic Charities. “We are grateful for the support of Kevin and the entire leadership team to spearhead our centennial Appeal efforts and look forward to a successful campaign in 2024.”

The annual Appeal, which is celebrating its 100 year in 2024, kicks off in January and runs through June 30. Funds raised during Appeal 2024 support Catholic Charities’ 57 programs and services, along with several ministries through the Fund for the Faith. More than 145,000 people of all faiths were served by Catholic Charities last year. For more information or to donate to Appeal 2024, visit ccwny.org/donate.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo has promoted Katelyn DiSalvo to tri-county district director.

In her new role, she is responsible for the overall administration and functioning of Catholic Charities’ three tri-county offices located at 106 South Main St., Albion, 25 Liberty St., Batavia, and 6470 US-20A, Perry, which include the emergency financial assistance program, friendly phones, and home visitation programming.

“Over the last five years, Katelyn has often been the first point of contact for individuals and families looking to Catholic Charities for hope and support during some of their darkest hours,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, president and CEO, Catholic Charities. “A long-time resident of Genesee County, Katelyn understands the needs and community resources to best serve our clients and lead our tri-county team of staff and volunteers.”

With Catholic Charities since 2018, DiSalvo most recently served as an emergency financial assistance specialist, providing support to clients in emergency situations. She also assisted the district director with office responsibilities and local community outreach projects. DiSalvo is a Batavia resident.

Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities.

Press release:

The Batavia Save-A-Lot recently conducted a holiday food drive in support of local Catholic Charities’ clients needing emergency assistance.

Catholic Charities is planning a parish pop-up event at one of the local churches in the near future to distribute the 72 bags of groceries generously donated by Save-A-Lot to help those in need in Genesee County.

Submitted photos. Pictured are Kelly Grimaldi, district director for Catholic Charities in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, and Save-A-Lot employees Cheryl and Skarlette, and Kayla, store manager, with the donated groceries.

With the start of a new school year right around the corner, Catholic Charities is hosting a Socks and Undergarment Drive to benefit school age kids and teenagers in grades Pre-K through 12th in need throughout Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. 

Donations of new, unopened packages of socks and underwear are being accepted now through Sept. 11 in Genesee County at: Ascension Church, 19 Summer St., Batavia; Immaculate Conception (Mary Immaculate), 5865 Ellicott Street Rd., East Bethany; Maurice’s, 8351 Lewiston Rd., Batavia; Old Navy, 4222 Veterans Memorial Dr., Batavia; and Resurrection Church, 303 E. Main St., Batavia.

“With many families throughout our community struggling to make ends meet, we know that back to school time can be a burden,” said Kelly Grimaldi, Tri-County district director, Catholic Charities. “While some may think of new pencils and notebooks, items such as socks and underwear are also needed, especially for younger children who are still growing. If you can, please consider donating to our Socks and Undergarment Drive to help our youngest neighbors in need.” 

After the drive concludes, the donated items will be distributed as needed to community members through Catholic Charities’ offices, including by referral from our collaborating partners and churches.  

Catholic Charities programs and services available in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties include basic needs and emergency financial assistance, Our Kids Parent Education and Awareness program for divorced/separating parents, In-School Social Work, the court-ordered Domestic Violence Program for Men, and Home Visitation Program/Friendly Phones.  

Collections are also being taken in Orleans County at Holy Family Parish, 106 S. Main St., Albion; and in Wyoming County at Community Bank, 2490 N. Main St., Warsaw; the Perry Market Place, 121 N. Center St., Perry; St. Michael Church, 171 N. Main St., Warsaw; St. Joseph (St. Isidore), 8 Park St., Perry; St. Isadore Parish, 39 Church St., Silver Springs; and St. Mary (Mary Immaculate), 11095 St. Marys St., Pavilion.  

All colors and sizes from children to adult are needed.  

 Catholic Charities needs volunteers for its Friendly Phones and Home Visitation programs in Genesee and Orleans counties. Both programs depend on dedicated volunteers to provide weekly visits or phone calls to isolated seniors 60+ who live independently, or with family.

“With limited volunteers, we, unfortunately, have many homebound seniors who are currently on a waiting list to participate in both our Friendly Phones and Home Visitation programs,” said Linda Chadderdon, program manager for Catholic Charities’ Home Visitation program. “Both programs are built with the intent to bring a sense of connectivity and friendship to our program members through friendly conversation or partaking in hobbies and special interests such as reading, puzzles, or card games. Not only do these interactions brighten our seniors’ days, but our volunteers also enjoy the time spent together.”

The visitation schedule is flexible. Interested volunteers much are at least 21 years old and do not need to reside in Genesee or Orleans County. An interview, background check, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination are required. Training will also be provided upon acceptance into the volunteer program. For more information on volunteering, please call Catholic Charities at 585-343-0614, ext. 3804.

Catholic Charities needs volunteers for its Friendly Phones and Home Visitation Programs in Genesee and Orleans counties. Both programs depend on dedicated volunteers to provide weekly visits or phone calls to isolated seniors 60+ who live independently, or with family. Volunteers engage in friendly conversation, partake in hobbies, crafts, and special interests such as reading, puzzles, baking or card games.

“During this giving season, consider giving the gift of your time this year by volunteering to provide friendship to isolated seniors within our community,” said Linda Chadderdon, program manager for Home Visitation Program in Genesee & Orleans counties, Catholic Charities. “These interactions bring a sense of connectivity and friendship to our program members. In addition to brightening our seniors’ days, volunteers often find a rich sense of fulfillment too in just volunteering one hour per week.”

Visitation schedule is flexible. Interested volunteers much be at least 21 years old. An interview, background check and proof of COVID-19 vaccination are required. Training will also be provided upon acceptance into the volunteer program. For more information on becoming a volunteer, please call Catholic Charities at 585-343-0614, ext. 3801.

HOPE Day, the annual 24-hour match challenge day of giving to benefit Appeal 2021, brought in $260,016 on May 14.

Matching funds of $57,212 added to this total increase HOPE Day’s grand total to $317,228, toward the annual Appeal’s $10 million goal in support of Catholic Charities and the Fund for the Faith. 

“The goal of HOPE Day is to inspire first-time donors and those who already gave to go above and beyond to help those most in need, in addition to rallying Catholic Charities’ supporters,” said Rick Cronin, Appeal 2021 chair. “Thank you, thank you to individuals and corporate donors who participated in HOPE Day 2021.

"Your contributions directly bring hope in the form of emergency assistance, mental health counseling, youth and family support services and more to our neighbors most in need throughout all eight counties of Western New York.”

To date, more than $8,017,161 or 80 percent of Appeal 2021’s $10 million goal has been raised.

The annual Appeal helps fund 57 programs and services administered by Catholic Charities across Western New York, along with several ministries that benefit all parishes through the Diocese of Buffalo’s Fund for the Faith. Last year, Catholic Charities’ programs and services helped more than 149,000 individuals of all faiths, ages and ethnicities. 

Donations to Appeal 2021 can continue to be made at ccwny.org/donation through June 30.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo announced HOPE Day, the annual 24-hour match challenge day of giving to benefit Appeal 2021 is set for Friday, May 14 across Western New York.

The first $40,000 raised will be matched dollar-for-dollar, with gifts from donors who wish to remain anonymous, in the ongoing effort to reach the annual Appeal’s $10 million goal in support of Catholic Charities and the Fund for the Faith.

Catholic Charities also announced that Appeal 2021 has raised $7,431,292 to date.

In the last three years, HOPE Days have brought in more than $1.28 million to bolster the annual Appeal.

“With less than two months to go and currently at 74 percent of our Appeal goal, we are grateful for the generosity our community has shown and also remain optimistic about reaching our 2021 goal,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, president and CEO, Catholic Charities. “Please consider joining with us on HOPE Day to help bring hope to our neighbors most in need.”

The annual Appeal helps fund 57 programs and services administered by Catholic Charities across all eight counties of Western New York, along with several ministries that benefit all parishes through the Diocese of Buffalo’s Fund for the Faith.

Catholic Charities’ programs and services helped more than 149,000 individuals of all faiths, ages and ethnicities in 2020.

These included basic emergency assistance such as food pantries, educational and vocational advancement services, family safety and stabilization services, immigration and refugee assistance, mental health and substance use treatment, and youth and family support services.

In addition, Catholic Charities, which has an office in Batavia, offers: counseling; a program for domestic violence offenders; a home visitor/friendly phone service for homebound seniors in Genesee and Orleans counties; home health care management, an in-school social work program, New Hope Partners, and Parent/Child Access.

In Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties, from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, Catholic Charities issued $17,672.21 in Emergency Financial Asisstance, impacting 2,563 residents.

To make a secure online donation during HOPE Day, go to ccwny.org/HOPEDay. Donors may also call (716) 218-1400 to pledge support. Appeal 2021 runs through June 30.

For more information about Catholic Charities and the services it provides, visit ccwny.org.

Catholic Charities needs volunteers for its COVID-19 phone visitation program.

An adaptation of its home visitation program for seniors (age 60+) in Genesee and Orleans counties, this safe social connection is an opportunity for homebound seniors to maintain contact with the outside world they otherwise would not have due to their shrinking social circles as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Interested volunteers would call weekly, from their own homes and on their own schedules, to check in on the homebound seniors. Training and a background check are required.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, please call Peg at (585) 343-0614, ext. 18.

“This unique opportunity allows volunteers from surrounding communities and counties to be matched with waiting seniors,” said Linda Chadderdon, program manager for home visitation program in Genesee and Orleans counties, Catholic Charities.

“In addition to brightening our seniors’ days, volunteers often find a rich sense of fulfillment with the knowledge they are reaching out to someone in friendship.”

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March, Catholic Charities has continued to provide services to WNY individuals and families in need through many programs, including counseling, basic emergency assistance and food pantries. Additional information about Catholic Charities’ services can be found at ccwny.org/services.