Summit County Labor News

Area Catholic Charity Receipts Set Record

For the first time in the 38-year history of the Catholic Charities Corporation, area campaign receipts reached and topped the million-dollar mark, according to Alan W. Fritzsche, President of the Corporation.

In making the announcement at a dinner meeting of the Board of Trustees at Hotel Cleveland, Mr. Fritzsche estimated the final returns of the Campaign will exceed $1,005,000.

According to Ray A. Jones, Executive Vice President of the official charity fund-raising agency of the Diocese, this figure represents the efforts of more than 14,000 volunteers working under the leadership of Fred M. Hauserman, Campaign Chairman.

The campaign was held between April 29 and May 12 in the 220 parishes of the Diocese and through Catholic Business and Professional groups.

The goal for the 1956 Campaign was set at $950,000 by Archbishop Edward F. Hoban as the minimum needed to support and maintain the 28 agencies, bureaus and institutions dedicated to the care of dependent and crippled children, needy families and individuals, a youth program and the care of dependent aged.

It was also announced that a portion of the 1956 receipts will be allocated to the establishment of the temporary quarters of the Holy Family Cancer Hospital-Home at 6750 State Road in Parma. These temporary quarters now undergoing alterations will be opened soon for the free care of needy, medically indigent, incurable Cancer victims in the terminal stage. This community service is available to all such Cancer cases regardless of race, color or religion.

Next Spring construction will start on a permanent 100-bed Cancer Hospital-Home to help fulfill the community needs in this field of service.

In extending the official appreciation of Archbishop Hoban and Catholic Charities Corporation to the donors, volunteer pastors and other members of the Clergy for their cooperation, President Fritzsche said:

"Attainment of the million-dollar mark is indeed gratifying and a tribute to all who participated, more important, however, is the fact that Catholic Charities will be able to carry forward Christ's work among the poor and needy of all ages and in addition establish a new community service, the care of the needy terminal Cancer victims regardless of race, color or religion.

"I am sure everyone who took part in this Campaign is gratified at the results."

The Catholic Charities Corporation which annually sponsors the Campaign to raise funds in support of the 28 agencies, bureaus and institutions of the Diocese is a lay organization with it's own Officers and Trustees. The Bishop of Cleveland serves as Chairman.

The Cleveland Diocese covers Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Medina, Summit, Lorain and Wayne counties. Last year more than 2,500 needy families and 6,500 needy individuals were helped by Catholic Charities and more than 100,000 youths participated in the spiritual and recreational programs of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) also supported by Catholic Charities.