The 1978 Charities Drive opened formally Wednesday night, January 18, with a kick-off meeting at the Hyland Center. Approximately 100 priests, lay men and women were on hand to begin this year's annual one-day cash effort. This year's goal is $350,000, the same amount sought last year. This money funds programs of family renewal and support, mission presence and development and a broad spectrum of archdiocesan commitments already in operation in this fiscal year's budget.

The Drive has a nine-year record of success, never having failed to meet the goal set, and last year bringing in over $400,000 in the largest one day fund raising effort in archdiocesan history. Co-chairmen of the Drive this year are James T. Oliver of St. John's parish in Hapeville and John P. Price, Jr., of Corpus Christi parish in Stone Mountain. Both are members of the Archdiocesan Finance Council.

Speaking to the group Wednesday night, Archbishop Donnellan emphasized his gratitude for the work of the priests and lay chairpersons over the years. He also underscored for the group his concept of motivation for the Drive.

"We would do our people just as much of a disservice if we did not appeal to them to sacrifice for their brothers and sisters and to sanctify themselves in the giving as we would if we did not administer their contributions responsibly," Archbishop Donnellan told the group.

This year's Drive format follows last year's. Father Jerry E. Hardy, Chancellor, explained the guidelines for the Drive, and Father James A. Miceli, Vice Chancellor, commented on the promotional materials, including a new Drive brochure which he designed.

Drive goals for each parish were announced. They had been revised and redrawn by this year's Drive committee, consisting of Fathers Joseph Beltran, Daniel O'Connor, Kohn Kieran, Raymond Horan, James Miceli and Jerry Hardy.

Parishes inside the perimeter received slightly lower goals than last year. There were two reasons given: (1) last year they had borne most of the additional $25,000 added on to the goal as a result of the archdiocese's financial problems arising from the Ivy Street property difficulties; and (2) four new parishes beyond the perimeter are now able to pick up some of the traditionally higher goals the other inner perimeter parishes have had to carry.

Drive Sunday was set as March 5 and the $350,000 goal is the target figure to be collected that day.