Catholic Charities to hold annual GADD Sept. 18
August 25, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.
"It is the dedication of honorees, sponsors and supporters that makes what we do possible. The Guardian Angel Dinner Dance is not only a celebration of these individuals, it is a testament to their devotion to our mission of promoting recovery, strengthening families and reducing poverty.”
So said Marlene Laó-Collins as she reflected on the upcoming 36th Catholic Charities’ Guardian Angel Dinner Dance, the agency’s signature fundraising event scheduled for Sept. 18 in The Merion, 1301 Route 130 South, Cinnaminson.
“This gala serves several purposes,” said Laó-Collins, the agency’s executive director. “It honors those who support the mission of Catholic Charities, it gives donors a chance to see how their contributions make a difference, and it raises money to sustain the agency’s life-saving services. The event also honors a very deserving client who has not only benefited from the services of Catholic Charites – but who has thrived.
The event, which includes dinner, dancing and a silent auction celebrates CCDOT’s community partners who “share our vision and support our mission to eliminate poverty, trauma and adversity among our most vulnerable neighbors, regardless of faith, ethnicity or ability to pay,” Laó-Collins noted.
A highlight of the dinner dance each year is the presentation of awards to select individuals and businesses for their support of the agency which has outreach sites throughout the four counties.
This year’s honorees include:
RICHARD J. HUGHES HUMANITARIAN AWARD: Brenda Rascher – In her current role as executive director of the diocesan Office of Catholic Social Services, Rascher offers support and a wealth of expertise to the organizations, parishes and ministries working to enrich lives with in the Diocese. Her approach to leadership centers on strategic oversight and clear communication, ensuring Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., remains up to date on all the Diocese’s wide-ranging service initiatives.
LIGHT OF HOPE AWARD: Rotary Club of West Jersey has been a steadfast supporter of Catholic Charities’ Providence House in Burlington County for more than two decades. The relationship between the two dates to the 1970s when two of the club’s members, Judge Marie White and William Kearns, had integral roles in helping to establish the Domestic Violence Safe House in the county.
LIGHT OF HOPE AWARD: Gerard St-Cyr first connected with Providence House when he had accompanied a friend to drop off a donation at the Ocean County location. He donates proceeds from his book, “Womanity! A Tribute to Women: Empowering Women of Today for a Better Tomorrow,” to support Providence House Domestic Violence Services.
CLIENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Jason – For the past six years, Jason has been focused on gaining independence and building his life. As a client in the Partial Care program at Delaware House, he learned essential coping skills, how to manage medication and advocate for himself. He went on to move into his own apartment and pursued studies as a dental technician.
Tickets and sponsorships for the Guardian Angel Dinner Dance are available. For information on how to attend, sponsor or support the event, contact Leslie Ann Alpaugh at 609-394-5181 x1154 or visit www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/gadd36
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"It is the dedication of honorees, sponsors and supporters that makes what we do possible. The Guardian Angel Dinner Dance is not only a celebration of these individuals, it is a testament to their devotion to our mission of promoting recovery, strengthening families and reducing poverty.”
So said Marlene Laó-Collins as she reflected on the upcoming 36th Catholic Charities’ Guardian Angel Dinner Dance, the agency’s signature fundraising event scheduled for Sept. 18 in The Merion, 1301 Route 130 South, Cinnaminson.
“This gala serves several purposes,” said Laó-Collins, the agency’s executive director. “It honors those who support the mission of Catholic Charities, it gives donors a chance to see how their contributions make a difference, and it raises money to sustain the agency’s life-saving services. The event also honors a very deserving client who has not only benefited from the services of Catholic Charites – but who has thrived.
The event, which includes dinner, dancing and a silent auction celebrates CCDOT’s community partners who “share our vision and support our mission to eliminate poverty, trauma and adversity among our most vulnerable neighbors, regardless of faith, ethnicity or ability to pay,” Laó-Collins noted.
A highlight of the dinner dance each year is the presentation of awards to select individuals and businesses for their support of the agency which has outreach sites throughout the four counties.
This year’s honorees include:
RICHARD J. HUGHES HUMANITARIAN AWARD: Brenda Rascher – In her current role as executive director of the diocesan Office of Catholic Social Services, Rascher offers support and a wealth of expertise to the organizations, parishes and ministries working to enrich lives with in the Diocese. Her approach to leadership centers on strategic oversight and clear communication, ensuring Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., remains up to date on all the Diocese’s wide-ranging service initiatives.
LIGHT OF HOPE AWARD: Rotary Club of West Jersey has been a steadfast supporter of Catholic Charities’ Providence House in Burlington County for more than two decades. The relationship between the two dates to the 1970s when two of the club’s members, Judge Marie White and William Kearns, had integral roles in helping to establish the Domestic Violence Safe House in the county.
LIGHT OF HOPE AWARD: Gerard St-Cyr first connected with Providence House when he had accompanied a friend to drop off a donation at the Ocean County location. He donates proceeds from his book, “Womanity! A Tribute to Women: Empowering Women of Today for a Better Tomorrow,” to support Providence House Domestic Violence Services.
CLIENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Jason – For the past six years, Jason has been focused on gaining independence and building his life. As a client in the Partial Care program at Delaware House, he learned essential coping skills, how to manage medication and advocate for himself. He went on to move into his own apartment and pursued studies as a dental technician.
Tickets and sponsorships for the Guardian Angel Dinner Dance are available. For information on how to attend, sponsor or support the event, contact Leslie Ann Alpaugh at 609-394-5181 x1154 or visit www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/gadd36