Tables are available for Spirit of Service Awards dinner on April 28

By John Shaughnessy

Indiana University head football coach Bill Lynch will be the featured speaker at the Spirit of Service Awards Dinner on April 28 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.

The event, which benefits the efforts of Catholic Charities Indianapolis to help people in need, will mark another return appearance to his hometown for Lynch, who is a graduate of Christ the King School and Bishop Chatard High School.

The importance of the upcoming Spirit of Service Awards event is easy to explain for David Bethuram, agency director of Catholic Charities Indianapolis. (Related: Simple philosophy marks lives of Spirit of Service winners)

“It’s about helping people in need get on their own feet,” Bethuram said. “We look at this annual event as an inspiration and an affirmation of the work that the social ministry arm of the Church is doing in the community.”

The event will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Tables for eight people can be purchased at these levels: $10,000 for a benefactor, $5,000 for a patron, $1,750 for a partner, and $800 for a parish table sponsor. Single tickets are $250.

“The supporters at this event—and our supporters throughout the year—make a tremendous difference in the lives of so many people,” Bethuram said. “This is something that cannot be measured in dollars alone. Their support for Catholic Charities Indianapolis offers people the opportunity to celebrate the social ministry efforts of the Church.”

Bethuram has the same feeling of gratitude for the people who will be honored at the dinner.

“The honorees have served in numerous capacities in their parishes, Church ministries and other community service organizations, where their love for God and their sisters and brothers is clearly evident,” Bethuram said. “A quality that they all share is their willingness to put others first and give of themselves freely. The honorees live the Gospel in their daily lives by example.”

The funds raised by the awards dinner will help to support the efforts of Catholic Charities Indianapolis to provide family support, eldercare, crisis assistance and shelter, while serving as an advocate for peace and social justice.

Catholic Charities Indianapolis also provides programs for children, youth, adults and families, including counseling for individuals and couples.

In 2008-09, Catholic Charities Indianapolis served about 33,000 people, the majority coming from low-income families with children.

(For more information about the awards dinner or to make reservations, call 317-592-4072 or 800-382-9836, ext. 4072, or visit the Web site at www.CatholicCharitiesIndpls.org.) †