Catholic Charities USA Presents Centennial Medals

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Jun 15, 2010, 10:41 ET

Catholic Health Association and Bread for the World Honored

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), the major non-profit serving more than 9 million people a year and celebrating its Centennial in 2010, announces the presentation of its specially-commissioned Centennial Medal to Catholic Health Association (CHA) and Bread for the World in recognition of their dedicated service to human need and the least among us.

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Candy Hill, Senior Vice President of Social Policy and Government Affairs for CCUSA, presented the Centennial Medal to Colleen Scanlon, current CHA Board chair, and Anthony Tersigni, incoming CHA Board chair, during CHA's Annual Gathering Monday evening (June 14) in Denver. Rev. Larry Snyder, President of Catholic Charities USA, presented the Centennial Medal to David Beckman, President of Bread for the World, during services at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill as part of the organization's annual Lobby Day (June 15).

"In our Centennial, it is a privilege and honor for Catholic Charities USA to pay tribute to such essential organizations as Catholic Health Association and Bread for the World," said Fr. Snyder. "Their willingness to stand with the poor and disenfranchised as we advocate for services and solutions that reflect dignity and respect for all people is truly inspirational. We are so fortunate to partner with people and work of this caliber."

CCUSA will conclude its year-long recognition of 100 years of service September 25 to 28 in Washington DC, with a Centennial Mass at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, major guest speaker sessions on poverty, and a unifying day on Capitol Hill to advocate Congress on additional support and legislation to reduce poverty in America.

Catholic Charities USA's members—more than 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies and institutions nationwide—provide help and create hope for over 9 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. In 2010, Catholic Charities USA celebrates its centennial anniversary. For more information, visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.

SOURCE Catholic Charities USA