FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Daniella Marquez
Development Director
(Left to right Nick & Brenda Lanza, Katherine & Dr. Brian Parsley)
(HOUSTON – September 20, 2023) – On Thursday, September 14, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston held their Third Annual Creating The Legacy endowment dinner at River Oaks Country Club benefitting their fund that supports the endowment and expansion of services to help those in need within our community.
This year, the honoree was the Scanlan Foundation which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary furthering the mission of the Catholic Church in Texas. “We were excited to be able to share an update on our Underserved Communities Initiative which is being funded from proceeds from our Endowment and from this evening’s proceeds,” said Ann Schorno, the Society’s executive director.
The event was co-chaired by Katherine and Dr. Brian Parsley, and Brenda and Nick Lanza. Over $550,000 was raised through significant underwriting and a generous crowd that contributed the night of the event, making it a record fundraiser for the Society. Supporters included Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Reinette and Stan Marek, Jan and Bruce Marek, David Harvey, Robert Parsley and the Strake Foundation, Susan and Larry Massey, Janet and Will Cravens, Penny and Paul Layne, Katie and Kirk Pfeffer, Bee Dickson, Ashley and Buck Elkins, Victoria and Aaron Bludorn, Joan and Phil Morabito, and Joella and Steve Mach.
Established by the Marek Family Foundation in 2021 in honor of Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, the goal for the Creating The Legacy endowment fund is to generate $1 million annually to ensure the expansion of services for the future. Since the inception of this initiative, over $800,000 in financial assistance has been distributed. The society has built capacity in six communities to serve the poorest of families with direct financial assistance. With support from generous donors, this vital aid will on in perpetuity and expand the Society’s presence within the Archdiocese, substantially increasing their services to impoverished neighbors.
To see how the initiative helps families, here is video link:
For more information please email or call Daniella Marquez
Email: development@svdphouston.org | Phone: 832.538.0325
Event Website https://www.svdphouston.org/2023-creating-the-legacy
Established in 1871, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a 501(c)3 faith-based organization with a mission to grow spiritually through person-to-person service in our community. The Society is made up of 56 parish-based chapters, called “Conferences”, that have more than 1,900 volunteers, called “Vincentians”. Assistance is given to neighbors in need throughout the Galveston-Houston area through its Home Visit Programs, Food Network, Clothing Vouchers, Resiliency Programs and Disaster Response.