Catholic Charities USA to Celebrate Centennial with Gala Concert Event

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Sep 08, 2010, 11:35 ET

Patti LaBelle and Denyce Graves to perform before private audience

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholic Charities USA, the 100-year-old social service network working to reduce poverty in America, will celebrate the finale of its historic Centennial Gathering with a private concert featuring R&B star and Grammy Award-winning artist Patti LaBelle and internationally-acclaimed mezzo soprano Denyce Graves.

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The concert will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, at 8 pm at the Hilton Washington Hotel. Hundreds of participants from Catholic Charities USA's Centennial Gathering as well as specially-invited guests will be in attendance. Additional information for attendees is available at http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/centennialgalaconcert.

Patti LaBelle and Denyce Graves will perform together and separately, accompanied by the students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. LaBelle and Graves last performed together in 2009 at a concert commemorating the 50th anniversary of Marian Anderson's historic performance in Washington, DC. Marian Anderson was the first black woman to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Maureen Bunyan, veteran television news broadcaster and a primary anchor for ABC7/WJLA-TV, will serve as mistress of ceremonies. Ms. Bunyan has an extensive record of service to the community. She is a founder and board member of the International Women's Media Foundation, which serves women in the media in 100 countries.

Catholic Charities USA was founded in 1910 "to bring about a sense of solidarity" among those in charitable ministries. Since 1910, Catholic Charities USA has encouraged professional social work practice, provided opportunities for training and networking, and served as a national voice and expert on poverty issues. The Centennial is a time to reflect on past accomplishments and renew the commitment to serve those in need.

For more information about Catholic Charities USA's Centennial activities, visit http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/centennial.

Catholic Charities USA's members provide help and create hope for more than 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.

SOURCE Catholic Charities USA