Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton will honor two Mercer County residents and a Lawrenceville law firm at its 31st annual Guardian Angel Dinner Dance, the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser and celebration of volunteers.
The gala, set for Sept. 26 at the Hyatt Regency Princeton, is a salute to the special people who have positively impacted Catholic Charities’ ability to meet the needs of the poor and vulnerable, according to information provided by Catholic Charities.
- The Client Achievement Award honors a Catholic Charities client who has shown courage, persistence and hard work in overcoming hardship. Robert Brooks of Trenton broke a longtime cycle of drug addiction and incarceration after he reached out to Catholic Charities for help in 2017 and began counseling in Partners in Recovery. There, he also learned to manage symptoms related to his PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). He inspired the creation of a new men’s trauma support group at Catholic Charities and wrote a book about his journey. He has become an advocate who works to destigmatize mental illness. He now works as a peer mentor at Catholic Charities’ Early Intervention Support Services program in Hamilton and serves on the agency’s Behavioral Health Consumer Advisory Council. He is pursuing a college degree with the goal of working professionally as a counselor.
- The Light of Hope Award honors a person or organization in each county Catholic Charities serves – Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean – for their support and commitment to the work of Catholic Charities in their community. Mary Jo Herbert of Titusville has supported Catholic Charities since 1991. A hay farmer and thoroughbred horse breeder, she was president of the New Jersey Board of Agriculture, president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and a member of the National Breeders Cup Board and the New Jersey Farm Service Agency Committee. Her late husband, Michael Herbert Sr., received the Light of Hope, Mercer County award in 2004 and served on Catholic Charities’ Board of Trustees. Their son, Michael Herbert Jr., now serves on Catholic Charities Board of Trustees. She is a parishioner at St. James Church in Pennington, where she is active on their gardening committee. She has five grown children and eight grandchildren.
- The Corporate Citizen of the Year Award recognizes a business that partners and supports Catholic Charities’ goals and mission. Stark & Stark of Lawrenceville has been a significant donor since 2001. As one of the oldest law practices in New Jersey, Stark & Stark offers a full range of legal services for businesses and individuals. Since its founding in 1933, Stark & Stark has been committed to active participation in and support of the community. Many of the firm’s attorneys and staff volunteer in their communities. Stark & Stark understands the importance of both client and community relationships. Between financial contributions, donations, and employee involvement, Stark & Stark has forged alliances with more than 200 different local, regional and national community organizations, associations, nonprofits and charitable organizations.
The Guardian Angel Dinner Dance is Catholic Charities’ signature fundraiser, raising much-needed funds to support the 100,000 people the organization serves annually, regardless of religious affiliation or ability to pay, according to the statement. Last year, the gala raised more than $300,000, a record for the event.
“Today, we are in uncharted waters, as we collectively face a pandemic that has upended our lives,” said Marlene Laó-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton. “That’s why I am ever so grateful for the continued support of our donors and volunteers. Last year, as we developed our long-term strategic initiative, we could not have predicted the crisis we face today’s widespread business and school closures and indefinite quarantines of the public, mandated by all levels of our government. Yet here we are.
“Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, as an essential service, continues to operate. This agency is a beacon of light in the midst of this madness for those who truly need us. Sadly, we anticipate the need for our lifesaving services will grow, as the coronavirus crisis persists. This year, our appreciation for the volunteers and donors who journey with us is deeper than ever. We simply cannot do this without you. Perhaps this global experience will open our hearts even wider to those who face adversity even during good times. Our amazing honorees always restore my hope and optimism. They shine the light on what is truly important to help people overcome poverty, homelessness, hunger, domestic violence, childhood trauma, mental health disorders, drug addiction and so many other hardships,” she said.
The gala’s planning committee is co-chaired by Mary Ann Saville of Browns Mills and Caroline Taylor of Bordentown.
“In this difficult and often frightening time of illness, job loss, and shuttered businesses, it is comforting to know that Catholic Charities is there. Throughout the hardships caused by this pandemic, Catholic Charities remains steadfast in their ministry to the most vulnerable in our society by providing food pantries, shelters, group homes, crisis counseling, and more,” Saville said. “That is why now, more than ever before, I believe we must all come together to support Catholic Charities in every way we can. I am especially asking for your support of the Guardian Angel Dinner Dance. Not only is this event an important fundraiser, it is a great opportunity for us to honor those people who empower Catholic Charities to continue their very important work throughout this unusually trying time and beyond. I am confident that we can count on everyone’s love, prayers and support.”
For more information, visit www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/guardian-angel-honorees-gala/