Awards dinner raises awareness of CCS programs

Friday, Oct. 21, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — The hungry, the homeless, immigrants and refugees – these are people who are helped by Catholic Community Services of Utah. 

Each day, more than 1,000 meals are served and an average of 450 people are helped in downtown Salt Lake City by CCS. Every year CCS distributes more than 3 million pounds of food in northern Utah, provides services to more than 600 refugees from war-torn countries, files more than 1,000 applications from immigrants, and helps hundreds of refugee children who come to the United States without their parents.

Despite this, many people “don’t understand all that we do,” said Bradford Drake, CCS executive director. 

For example, CCS’ St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall in downtown Salt Lake City “is very well known, but a lot of people think the dining hall is just an extension of the Road Home. They do not associate that with Catholic Community Services,” Drake said. 

One event that brings public awareness of CCS and its programs is the annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner, which also serves as the organization’s primary fundraiser and provides an opportunity to thank those who donate to CCS and help give those in need an opportunity to find hope and become self-reliant, Drake said.

“Let’s face it, all of us need that hope,” he said. “Without hope, to me, life has no meaning.”  

This year, those being recognized at the awards dinner include Elizabeth Smart, Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, and Russell M. Nelson, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Smart was abducted in 2002 when she was 14; her captor repeatedly sexually assaulted her for nine months before she was rescued. Now, “Elizabeth has become a fighting advocate for victims and survivors of all tragedies,” according to CCS’ information about the awards dinner. “Elizabeth is an inspiration to many who have had to overcome unspeakable odds and come out on the other side stronger. She has shown us that with a good support system and love you can step out of homelessness and poverty, or successfully resettle as a refugee.” 

Smart is able to relate to those who have suffered, and can provide hope in going forward to those who have faced tragedy, Drake said. 

Archbishop Wester, who as ninth Bishop of Salt Lake City from 2007 to 2015 served as chairman of the CCS Board of Directors, “guided our humanitarian work to new heights,” according to CCS. “Under his stewardship, CCS’ Immigration & Refugee Resettlement doubled in size and he was instrumental in taking over the evening meal service at our St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall. Archbishop Wester’s commitment to aiding those most in need is evident as he continues to advocate for immigrant and refugee rights on a national level.” 

The archbishop is “a man who has impacted so many people from all walks of life, and we know he has such great love for the poor and those in need,” Drake said. 

President Russell M. Nelson “began his career saving lives as a heart surgeon. His pioneering techniques took him around the world as he taught and performed surgeries where it was not available,” according to CCS. “As President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Nelson has been able to continue and expand his humanitarian work as he visits and serves countries and peoples around the world in need.”

The LDS Church gives great support to CCS, and “it’s just an honor for two faiths to work so closely together,” Drake said. “We feel honored at CCS to be able to honor the LDS Church for the many, many good things that they do for CCS.”

 

 

WHAT: 2016 Humanitarian Awards Dinner

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 4, starting with 6 p.m. social hour

WHERE: Little America Hotel, 500 S. Main St. SLC

TICKETS: $175; table sponsorships available

Register at https://www.ccsutah.org/rsvp. 

For information, contact Jose Lazaro, 801-428-1230 or jlazaro@ccsutah.org, or visit http://www.ccsutah.org/.