Appeal 2008 for Catholic Charities of Buffalo raised $8,954,674.71 in cash and pledges as of Sunday night, which represents 79.9 percent of its record-setting $11.2 million goal, Catholic Charities’ officials announced. With the totals received as of 8 p.m. on Palm Sunday, the Appeal needs $2,245,325.29 to reach goal.

At a news conference at Catholic Charities headquarters in downtown Buffalo, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec expressed his appreciation to the Western New York community and all those involved with this year’s Appeal, asking for their continued support in the days and weeks ahead.

“While this figure is not $11.2 million yet, it does reflect the generosity and efforts of thousands of Western New Yorkers, Catholics and non-Catholics alike,” said Bishop Kmiec. “We always emphasize that every dollar counts and we mean it.”

He added, “It is no secret that our economy is struggling, but we want to ensure people who may still be thinking about making a donation, this organization is ever so deserving of that.”

Father Joseph Sicari, Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities, explained that contributions are collected toward each Appeal through June 30, the end of the organization’s fiscal year. “To continue this impressive 85-year legacy, we need to remain focused on bringing this Appeal 2008 to closure as soon as possible,” Sicari said, encouraging anyone who has not yet made a donation or pledge to do so now. “Our fiscal year ends June 30 – but why wait? Last year, we reached goal in six weeks, let’s do it in five weeks this year!”

Last year, Catholic Charities received an additional $1,075,535 after April 1, closing night for Appeal 2007. They reached the $11 million goal on May 22, just six weeks after Palm Sunday.

Martha Lamparelli, chairperson of Appeal 2008, recognized the Appeal Leadership Team and the hundreds of volunteers throughout the eight counties of the Diocese, as well as the contributors to Appeal 2008.

“We understand that this has been another challenging year, but let me emphasize the positive impact your donation will make on the countless people who walk through the doors of Catholic Charities every day,” said Lamparelli.

She added, “I have a new goal for the coming months, and it is to see an increase in participation over last year as we near closer to Catholic Charities’ fiscal year end.”

Appeal leaders added that donations can still be made to Catholic Charities’ headquarters, by calling 716-856-4494 or via its secure website at www.1-for-all.org.

The goal for Appeal 2008 of $11.2 million represented a $200,000 increase over last year’s $11 million goal. This year’s Appeal was under the patronage of Saint Katharine Drexel.

Founded in 1923 as the human service arm of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, Catholic Charities provides comprehensive counseling, services for children and families, behavioral health and chemical dependency services, anti-domestic violence programming, emergency services, and education and job training, among other social services.

For more information on Catholic Charities, contact (716) 856-4494 or go to www.ccwny.org.