Catholic Charities USA Announces 2013 Volunteer of the Year

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Apr 25, 2013, 09:00 ET

Charlotte Pastor Recognized for Lifetime of Service to Those in Need

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholic Charities USA is pleased to announce Rev. George Kloster, a priest of the diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, as the winner of the 2013 Volunteer of the Year award.

Rev. Kloster, the pastor of St. William Church in Murphy, North Carolina, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hayesville, North Carolina, serves on the advisory board for the Office of Economic Opportunity of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte. He has worked with the office since 1998, helping lead the program's successful outreach to assist families and individuals in economically-distressed areas.

"The spirit of tireless self-giving that is at the center of Father George's life is an inspiration to us all," said Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA. "Our local agencies would be hard-pressed to serve so many of those in need without the tireless support that he and hundreds of thousands of other volunteers provide every day."

Rev. Kloster was chosen out of eight finalists to receive the award, which has been given out annually since 1998. The nominees were announced earlier in April in recognition of National Volunteer Month, honoring the contributions of the more than 300,000 volunteers who give their time and talents to the Catholic Charities network. The other seven finalists for Catholic Charities USA's 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award were:

Bill Tingerthal (Catholic Charities of Minneapolis and St. Paul)
Carol Gastelum (Catholic Charities Community Services in Phoenix, Arizona)
Dawn Casales (Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Trenton)
Donna Springer and Donna Uselding (Catholic Charities of Fort Worth)
Edith Carreon (Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe)
Lisa Obringer (Catholic Charities of Jacksonville)

Each of the finalists embody the mission and spirit of Catholic Charities in their work among our brothers and sisters in need, and make an impact by leveraging their talents, skills, and interests to make a difference in the lives of those in need and in their communities.

About Catholic Charities USA
Catholic Charities USA is the national office for Catholic Charities agencies nationwide. Catholic Charities USA's members provide help and create hope for more than 10 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For almost 300 years, Catholic Charities agencies have worked to reduce poverty by providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from health care and job training to food and housing. To learn more, visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

SOURCE Catholic Charities USA