Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa) will host its Shining a Light on Hope Virtual Gala on Thursday, April 21. The Gala will be broadcast at 7:00 p.m. on WTRF-7 in Wheeling and on CCWVa’s website at: www.CatholicCharitiesWV.org/Gala2022.

“This is a unique chance for our whole community to peek behind the scenes and learn more about how we serve this region. And we’re continuing our tradition of recognizing leaders in the community who demonstrate true Charity in Action,” said Beth Zarate, CCWVa President and Chief Executive Officer.

CCWVa offers a network of services supporting infants to seniors. The agency collaborates with individuals and community partners to support people who need food, hospitality, utility bill assistance, child care assistance, home care services, and much more.

“The pandemic hit our clients especially hard. Our awardees stepped up in a profound way, helping us provide more critical support than ever before,” said Zarate.

The recipients of the 2022 Charity in Action Award are The House of Hagar and Kate Marshall (Wheeling), Quenton Northcraft (Wheeling), and St. Vincent de Paul Parish Food Pantry (New Martinsville).

The House of Hagar, HoH Share, and Kate Marshall

Kate Marshall serves as the founder and Executive Director of HoH Share Inc, a non-profit to give voice to the underrepresented and provide resources to the underserved communities of Wheeling, West Virginia.

HoH-Share Inc. was founded after realizing there frequently is a disconnect between social services and the people who needed them, often because the whole-picture realities of the poor are frequently misunderstood.

Kate’s work specializes in advocacy, working with those experiencing homelessness, recovery, poverty, judicially impacted peoples, as well as many other social justice issues.

“Kate and her family have developed a large cadre of volunteers who assist them in providing homeless people with food, clothing and other necessities,” said Janet Boyle, CCWVa Board Member. “They quite literally practice the Corporal and Spiritual works of mercy daily.”

“They treat their neighbors with quiet compassion,” said Boyle. “During a visit to HoH, one might be hard pressed to distinguish the volunteers from the neighbors in need, because all interactions are driven by kindness and respect.”

Quenton Northcraft

Quenton Northcraft has a passion for service, and he uses his talents and gifts to improve the lives of other people. He is a devoted volunteer at Catholic Charities Neighborhood Center in Wheeling.

“Quenton’s thoughtful and strategic approach is evident in everything he does,” said Trish Whitelatch, CCWVa Northern Regional Director. “He noticed that some of the carts at the Center were not in good repair, making it difficult to move donated food and goods. He donated two carts that are much easier to maneuver and can be used for multiple purposes. This is just one example of how Quenton has helped us become more efficient so we can improve our services.”

In addition to sharing his time and talent with Catholic Charities, Quenton volunteers at the Mother Jones Center for Resilient Community.

“We, the staff, and the neighbors at Catholic Charities Neighborhood Center are blessed to count Quenton among our faithful volunteers,” said Whitelatch.

St. Vincent de Paul Parish Food Pantry

St. Vincent de Paul Parish in New Martinsville, West Virginia, coordinates a Catholic Charities West Virginia pantry that is now exclusively volunteer-run. When Catholic Charities was working to find staff for its food pantry at St. Vincent, Msgr. Kevin Quirk, the pastor, suggested that the parish would find a way to operate without paid staff, allowing all funding to go directly to those served.

“St. Vincent de Paul Parish in New Martinsville deserves special recognition for the kindness, selflessness and charity of their administration and parishioners,” said Mark Phillips, CCWVa Chief Operating Officer.

Despite the fact that they have no paid employees, they regularly distribute food, hygiene items, and cleaning supplies as well as provide emergency financial assistance for rent and utility payments.

Cecilia Wetzel, the lead volunteer, along with parishioners from St. Vincent de Paul, St. Joseph, Holy Rosary, and Mater Dolorosa are an integral part of this volunteer team.

“The volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul Parish Food Pantry truly exemplify their patron saint’s commitment to people in need,” said Phillips.

“We are grateful for and inspired by many partners who walk this journey with us, and we’re honored to recognize these dedicated individuals,” said Zarate.

Proceeds from the Gala support CCWVa’s programs and services in 17 counties in northern West Virginia. As part of the Gala, CCWVa will host a virtual auction. The auction will be available at bidpal.net/CCWVa from April 17-24, closing at 9:00 p.m. on April 24.

The Gala is presented through the generosity of lead sponsor, WVU Medicine; and major sponsor, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

More details about the event are available on CCWVa’s website at:www.CatholicCharitiesWV.org/Gala2022