The Catholic Charities Ball 2025 “Creating Miracles Through Faith & Service” was a huge success on Feb. 1, 2025, at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort on Longboat Key, the first event of its kind for the brand new resort. The proceeds from the Ball support the programs of Catholic Charities in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane was the guest of honor and expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support for Catholic Charities as its many programs help families and individuals in the community, ensuring that our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to receive the help and support they need to have hope in the future.
“This was clearly evident when Catholic Charities responded to the hurricanes (Helene and Milton) that impacted us all,” Bishop Dewane said. “Initially, food and water were distributed. Then mold was cleaned out of homes. However, the recovery work continues, and the need for assistance is still great. There is so much more that Catholic Charities does, because they respond to those who are here and may not be able to make it without assistance. If somebody stands in front of us and they are in need, we do what we can. We do not break the law, but we do help when someone is in need. That is how we respond. We are called as a Church, through Catholic Charities, to assist those who are in need of help in that moment. It is who we are.”
The Catholic Charities Ball was chaired by Bridget Spiess, and the elegant evening included silent and live auctions, as well as live music.
Catholic Charities assisted more than 350,000 people in need, providing a wide range of services throughout the 10-county Diocese of Venice last year. The work of the staff and volunteers of Catholic Charities providing programs that not only help in a crisis but assist in improving the daily lives of those they reach is an essential act of mercy and fundamental mission of the Church.
In the coming weeks and months, there are additional opportunities to support Catholic Charities during different events throughout the Diocese.
- Boots and Bandanas, 6 p.m., Feb. 22, at The Barn at Thousand Pines Ranch, 1 Ajax Drive, North Venice. Evening with cocktails, dinner, auction, live country music by Andy Pursell, and community spirit, all in support of helping the underserved and those recovering from disasters in Arcadia. Tickets are $125. Register at https://one.bidpal.net/boots/welcome. For more information, 863-494-1068 or email bootsandbandanas@ccdov.org.
- Our Mother’s House Wine Tasting, Auction and Dinner Dance, 5 p.m., Feb. 27, Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice. The event will benefit the mothers and children at Our Mother’s House, a 2-year transitional living program located in the heart of Venice, dedicated to empowering single mothers and their young children. Tickets are $100. Register online at https://one.bidpal.net/omh2025/welcome. For more information, 941-485-6264 or email omh@catholiccharitiesdov.org.
- Venetian Charity Ball, 6 p.m., March 22, at St. Leo the Great Parish Hall, 28290 Beaumont Rd., Bonita Springs. This event supports the programs in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties, the communities still recovering from Hurricane Ian in 2022. Tickets are $250. Register online at https://one.bidpal.net/vb2025/welcome. For more information, call 239.342.1620 or email venetianball@ccdov.org.
- Emerald Ball, 5:30 p.m., March 26, at Ritz-Carlton Tiburon Golf Resort, 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples. This year’s theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” inspired by Pope Francis in honor of the Jubilee Year, reflects Catholic Charities’ commitment to serving all individuals, regardless of race, nationality, or religion. Tickets are $400. Register online at https://one.bidpal.net/eb2025/welcome. For more information, call 239-455-2655 or email emeraldball@catholiccharitiesdov.org.
For additional information about the good works of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org.
