Appeal 2025 HOPE Day is Wednesday, March 19

HOPE Day, the annual 24-hour match challenge day of giving to benefit Appeal 2025 in support of Catholic Charities of Buffalo and the Fund for the Faith will be held Wednesday, March 19 across Western New York. The first $116,000 raised will be matched dollar-for-dollar from generous sponsors including OneBridge Benefits, EnergyMark, LLC, Tops Friendly Markets, Uniland Development Company, and Catholic Health. All funds raised on HOPE Day go toward the annual Appeal’s $8.5 million goal.

“HOPE Day has become as much of an annual tradition as the appeal itself, having raised more than $2.5 million over the past seven years for programs and services that bring hope to our neighbors in need,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Buffalo. “This year we decided to shift HOPE Day to earlier in the appeal and during the Lenten season, which is traditionally a time of giving and supporting the needs of others.” In past years, HOPE Day was held in May.

During HOPE Day, appeal volunteers and Catholic Charities staff members gather to make phone calls to those who have yet to donate this year, giving them an opportunity to double their gift through the support of HOPE Day sponsors. The agency will mark HOPE Day progress by placing a colorful two-dimensional tulip cutout on the lawn at Catholic Charities’ Montante Administrative Center on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. Progress will also be posted on the agency’s website at ccwny.org.

“Individuals, families and children of all faiths and across all eight counties of Western New York rely year-round on the support and hope that Catholic Charities provides – more than 147,000 last year alone,” said Dr. Michael Noe, Appeal 2025 chair. “Your support on HOPE Day and throughout the appeal assists our neighbors who may be especially struggling during these times to make ends meet or who are facing challenges impacting their health and wellbeing. Every dollar helps as the need for these crucial programs and services in our community only continues to grow.”Appeal 2025 continues through June 30 and has currently raised more than $3.2 million or 37.2 percent of its goal to date. Donors can give at ccwny.org or call 716-218-1400.