Caritas Family Solutions sets big goal for July 30 Caritas Day
24-hour giving campaign aims to support services for children, families and individuals across southern Illinois
Caritas Family Solutions will celebrate Caritas Day on July 30, with its fourth annual 24-hour giving campaign to raise funds and awareness for children, families and individuals in need.
Throughout the day, community sponsors will match every dollar donated with an additional $3, quadrupling the impact of each gift. The goal is to raise $138,000 with all proceeds directly benefiting Caritas’ programs and the communities they serve.
The matching campaign will take place for 24 hours between 2 p.m. on July 30 and 2 p.m. on July 31.
To donate to the campaign or follow along, visit www.charidy.com/caritas.
“Our communities are facing growing challenges, from increased behavioral health needs and housing instability to financial pressures that are impacting children, families and individuals in new ways,” Caritas Family Solutions CEO Gary Huelsmann said. “Our merger with Human Support Services has expanded our capacity to meet those growing needs, allowing us to serve more people with the compassion and care they deserve. Community support through Caritas Day helps ensure we can continue broadening our impact and responding to the evolving needs of those we serve.”
The nonprofit serves over 6,500 individuals across southern Illinois and the Metro East region through services including mental and behavioral health, community integrated living, assisted living and youth emergency services. Recently, the nonprofit has grown to join the state in more preventive programs, like Intact Family Services, Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services and The Office of Community Connections.
For Jamie Hall, a Caritas board member and team captain for Caritas Day, the event marks her third Caritas Day. Hall said she came across the nonprofit through volunteer events posted by her workplace, Associated Bank.
“I felt like something was missing and I was looking for something to fill my bucket,” Hall said. “Volunteering at Caritas has allowed me to fill something that was above and beyond my position at Associated Bank. Caritas touches lives from birth to the end of life. To me, that is incredible.”
Hall said Caritas’ mission and approach drew her to the organization and over the years, it has become near and dear to her heart. Caritas Day, according to Hall, is a day to show how critical the nonprofit’s work to the community is.
“I know there are a lot of people out there that want to give to great causes and Caritas is essential to our community,” Hall said. “There are so many things Caritas wants to do and those things take money. This day allows the organization to fundraise and do those extra things that can change lives.”
About Caritas Family Solutions
Founded in 1947, Caritas Family Solutions is a nonprofit social service agency whose mission is to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families in order to create healthy relationships, loving homes, and strong communities. Services include adoption, foster care, pregnancy care, Intact Family Services, residential treatment for children healing from abuse and/or neglect as well as a youth emergency shelter. Caritas also offers behavioral health services including substance use treatment, professional counseling, independent living and employment services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mental health housing and supportive services. Caritas serves more than 6,500 individuals annually across southern Illinois from offices located in Belleville, Carterville, Mount Vernon, Waterloo, Olney, Glen Carbon, Alton, and Effingham, as well as satellite locations in Highland and Sparta. For more information, visit www.caritasfamilysolutions.org.
