CCS Humanitarian Awards dinner to be Nov. 7

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SALT LAKE CITY — At its Nov. 7 Humanitarian Awards Dinner, Catholic Community Services of Utah will honor individuals and community partners who have helped the organization serve those in need over the past year, and share information about its programs with the community that supports it.

“The dinner gives us an opportunity to get to tout some of our amazing accomplishments for the past year, and also bring everyone up to date on what is happening and what our current focuses are,” CCS Development Director Maresha Bosgieter said. “Our annual Humanitarian Dinner is definitely our favorite event of the year because we get to see many of our friends face to face, as well as meet new ones.”

Among those being honored are Paul and Ruth Cherecwich, who have helped CCS financially for many years and have shared the organization’s mission with their family, friends and community.

“Every year, Paul coordinates a lunch meeting with others who he thinks would be interested in digging deeper into our programs to come meet with members of our senior staff,” Bosgieter said. “They have always focused on strengthening the interfaith connection of the work we do by inviting the bishop of the Episcopal diocese (where they are members) to attend the Humanitarian Dinner as their guest, and they are always one of the first and strongest sponsors of our dinner each year.  Paul and Ruth are wonderful people through and through.”

Jeanne Audiss, the organization’s former director of finance and the current National Council of Catholic Women San Francisco province director, will also be recognized.

“On top of all the time and energy she provided serving the NCCW, Jeanne also made sure to highlight CCS whenever possible, whether it was through engaging our staff or clients as speakers at conferences and events, or guiding donations and service projects our direction,” Bosgieter said. “At the NCCW’s annual convention, which was held in Salt Lake in August, she once again ensured one of our refugee resettlement clients was able to share her story, and we received over $13,000 of in-kind and cash donations.”

Community partners such as FFKR Architects are essential to the success of CCS, Bosgieter said. Since 2018, the architectural firm has hosted the non-profit organization’s annual Empty Bowls fundraiser.

“Every year since, they have put hundreds of hours of work and planning, along with tens of thousands of dollars, into improving the event and making it a success,” Bosgieter said. “Empty Bowls would definitely not be at the level it is without their involvement.”

Parishioners at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Cottonwood Heights have played a significant role in supporting CCS’s programs, Bosgieter said. “Each month for at least the last 20 years, they have filled a meal service shift at St. Vinnie’s [the St. Vincent de Paul dining hall in Salt Lake City, which is run by CCS] and are one of our top donors for Gift of the Drummer by doing a huge hygiene and clothing drive.” Parishioners also serve as long-term volunteers helping in the migration and refugee services department. Father John Evans, who has served as CCS board chairman for the last seven years, is the pastor at St. Thomas More.

Bishop Oscar A. Solis will attend this year’s event, which will be held Nov. 7 at Little America beginning with a social hour at 6 p.m. The annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner is Catholic Community Services’ only agencywide fundraiser.

WHAT: Catholic Community Services Humanitarian Awards Dinner

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 7; social hour 6 p.m.; dinner and program 7 p.m.

WHERE: Little America, 500 Main St., SLC

COST: Individual tickets are $175 each; table sponsorships are available. Purchase online at https://ccsutah.org/news/humanitarian-dinner or contact Maresha Bosgieter at mbosgieter@ccsutah.org for  information.