By EMMALEE ITALIA
Contributing Editor
The 29th annual gala for the Mount Carmel Guild, Trenton, was a time for supporters and friends to reconvene for an evening of camaraderie and fundraising that will drive much of the Guild’s outreach to those in need in Mercer County.
“Our gala is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of community, compassion and the power of giving,” said Daren Miller, MCG’s director of external affairs. “People who attend feel a deep connection with our mission to serve the most vulnerable when they witness firsthand how their support directly impacts the lives of those in need.”
‘Tangible Difference’
Miller said more than 250 attendees at the Trenton Country Club Oct. 18 were treated to a unique blend of celebration and purpose, combining “inspiring stories, heartfelt recognition of community heroes and an opportunity to make a tangible difference.”
Mary Inkrot, MCG executive director, and Daren Miller, MCG director of external affairs, pause for a photo before the evening festivities. Courtesy photo
This year’s theme, “Let’s Grow through Giving,” served to remind people that combining resources allows MCG to achieve the extraordinary. Several gala guests have made their attendance an annual affair.
Funds raised through the gala are essential to the support of the Guild’s core services, including its community support program, which includes an open choice food pantry, and its accredited home health nursing program.
“Every dollar raised helps us provide direct support to those in need, and we are proud of this year’s fundraising outcome,” said Mary Inkrot, MCG executive director. “The gala is … a lifeline for our most vulnerable neighbors that translates into tangible help for many individuals and families across Trenton and wider Mercer County. These funds are vital in ensuring that we can continue to expand our services and respond to growing needs in our community.”
Commitment and Compassion
Jane Chrnelich, chair of MCG’s board of trustees, said she is most proud of “the unwavering dedication and compassion that drives our efforts as an organization, supported by talented staff, committed Mission Members and volunteers. They are truly the heart of Mount Carmel Guild. Their commitment to serving the most vulnerable is nothing short of inspiring.”
Pointing to nurses providing in-home care, volunteers assisting in the food pantry, and donors supporting the Guild’s mission, “each person plays a crucial role in making a difference,” she said. “The resilience of our community, especially in times of crisis, shows the strength of our collective spirit. I’m proud that Mount Carmel Guild not only meets immediate needs but does so in a way that promotes dignity, hope, and long-term support. We’re not just a service provider; we’re a community builder, and that’s something for which I am deeply proud.”
Introducing honorees, Miller said all of them “demonstrate remarkable compassion and love for community that made our board of trustees proud to select them for each award.”
“Thanks to their continued generosity and that of others, this event will enable us to grow our impact, helping more families in Trenton access food, health care, and critical support,” he said.
“As we look to the future, we invite more community involvement in helping us make a lasting difference,” Miller said. “The need in our community is evolving; over 20% of families in Trenton live below the poverty line. … Together, we can build a stronger, more compassionate community.”
Denise and Michael Foley, parishioners of St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square, were recognized with MCG’s Bishop Thomas J. Walsh Award for their volunteer efforts across the years.
Carole Moore, MCG gala committee member, encourages attendees to participate in one of the event’s fundraising opportunities. Courtesy photo
“By volunteering, we have seen firsthand how many people rely on MCG for daily needs, as well as for special events, like the Holiday Toy Shop,” Denise Foley said. “The families are always so happy to be able to pick out special gifts for the children in their lives for the holidays.”
Paul Pennacchi of A. Pennacchi & Sons was granted the Guild Civic Champion Award. The company’s masonry work in the Diocese touches many historic church buildings.
Pennacchi spoke “all the people there on a daily basis working behind the scenes” and “dedicated the award to all the hardworking people working for the Guild. I’m hands on – when I see where they need help, I’m right there for them.”
Calling himself an “ol’ Trenton boy,” Pennacchi said he believes in “being on the front lines … out on the street, saying ‘how can I help you?’”
“It means the world to me to be honored by the Guild; I believe in this organization so much,” said Ann Schwimmer, eighth-grade religion teacher at St. Paul School, Princeton; she was granted the Guild Appreciation Award for her work in spearheading food, toy and clothing drives. “So many lives are impacted by the Guild; we should all help our fellow human beings. It’s what Jesus taught us to do.”
David Navazio accepted the Guild Neighbor Award on behalf of the Rotary Club of Trenton for its financial support, food and clothing donations, and seasonal maintenance of the MCG flower beds.
“The excellent work of MCG was on display at the awards ceremony, which was a very moving reminder of why the Rotary continues to support their efforts,” Navazio said. “Because of my work with nursing homes around the country, I have witnessed firsthand the lives of older adults who have medical issues” He said the Guild’s home health nursing program offers care and support, “but I think it is just as important that the program allows people the comfort and dignity of staying in their own homes as long as possible.”
Other award winners included Kathie and Michael Castellano, Bishop Thomas J. Walsh Award; Ana Chrnelich, Guild Appreciation Award; and Michael Murphy, Community Service Award.
More than 250 supporters attended the annual MCG gala in Trenton Country Club. Courtesy photo