2025 Catholic Charities Appeal Launches with $15.3 Million Goal to Aid Those in Need
Cleveland, Ohio – February 1, 2025 – The 2025 Catholic Charities Appeal has set an ambitious goal to raise $15.3 million to serve families and individuals in need throughout Northeast Ohio. This year’s theme, “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace,” highlights inspiring stories of those whose lives have been transformed with the help of Catholic Charities. Among them are Peter, a bright and funny 9-year-old living with Batten Disease, and Virginia, a spirited 99-year-old who enjoys making friends, going on trips, and riding a three-wheeler at Fatima Family Center.
“Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.’ We are truly blessed when we become channels of peace for others,” said Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, JCL, Bishop of Cleveland. “When we see others as our brothers and sisters and support them through Catholic Charities, we all share in God’s peace.” Bishop Malesic also expressed his deep gratitude to donors, priests, and volunteers, saying, “Thank you for embracing this great gift the Lord calls us to—bringing His peace to others.”
Managed by the Catholic Community Foundation, the Catholic Charities Appeal supports Catholic Charities in Northeast Ohio, one of the region’s most significant health and human service providers. Catholic Charities serves 400,000 people annually throughout the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, offering more than 150 critical programs and services across 60 locations. Catholic Charities addresses the region's most pressing social issues by providing food security, safe shelter, job training, mental health counseling, and compassionate care to those in need. The 2024 Catholic Charities Appeal set a new all-time record, raising nearly $15.7 million.
The 2025 Catholic Charities Appeal will be introduced in all 185 parishes of the diocese during the weekend of February 15-16 and will continue through the end of the year. Stories and videos of people whose lives have been transformed through the work of Catholic Charities can be viewed at https://www.catholiccommunity.org/support/catholic-charities/catholic-charities-appeal/videos. Donors can make donations by texting “CCHope” to “41444”, by visiting www.catholiccommunity.org/Donate or by calling 216-696-6525 x1910.
For more information regarding the programs and services of Catholic Charities, visit www.ccdocle.org.
******************
About The Catholic Community Foundation:
The Catholic Community Foundation is dedicated to enriching lives by encouraging faithful philanthropy. The Foundation supports the mission of the Diocese of Cleveland to provide for the spiritual, educational and charitable needs of people throughout Northeast Ohio. Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation has raised more than $621 million to support Catholic Charities, Catholic Education, Priestly Formation, and other ministries in the Diocese of Cleveland.
Contact: Lisa King, Catholic Community Foundation
Phone: (216) 696-6525 ext. 1042
Email: lking@catholiccommunity.org