The goal for the 1977 Archdiocesan Charities Drive is $350,000. This is an increase of $50,000 over last year. This announcement was made by Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan at the initiation meeting on Wednesday evening, January 12.

The pastors of the archdiocese and their parish chairpersons gathered at the Cathedral Center for dinner and a discussion of the upcoming drive. Father Jerry Hardy, chancellor of the archdiocese, was the dinner speaker.

Commenting on the importance of the drive, Father Hardy noted, “Each year the archdiocesan budget is prepared in the spring to begin the following July. However, the major funding for the budget, such as the drive, comes after the budget has already been operating. Consequently the drive is vitally important as it provides us with money for programs and projects already underway.”

Father Hardy outlined the program of special gifts during the month of February with the general share taking place on the first Sunday of March.

This is the ninth Charities Drive to be held in the archdiocese, the goal has risen in that time from $200,000 to the present $350,000.

Archbishop Donnellan expressed his thanks to all who would bring about the success of this year’s drive. He especially thanked the overall chairman, J. Wallace Winborne, who could not be present due to his being hospitalized.

Each parish received its share of the goal and promotional material for each member of the parish. The promotional material for this year’s drive includes a brochure which notes that staff personnel are being prepared for program development in the area of elderly care. This is the first time mention of this has been made in the drive materials.

The pastors who worked with Winborne and the chancery staff to formulate the goals were Fathers Michael A. Morris, James A Miceli, Paul Berny, Noel Burtenshaw and Patrick Mulhern.

The drive officially kicks off February 1 with the special gifts phase which runs until Drive Sunday, March 6.