The programs of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., in Lee, Glades, and Hendry counties received tremendous support during the annual Venetian Ball on March 7, 2026, at St. Leo the Great Parish Hall in Bonita Springs.
“Empowering Tomorrow, with Compassion Today,” was the theme of the Venetian Ball, which reflects the remarkable resilience demonstrated by the residents of the region who have endured a pandemic and the impacts of several devastating hurricanes during the past five years, and aims to provide direct support to local residents.
Before offering the prayer before the meal, Bishop Frank J. Dewane thanked everyone for supporting Catholic Charities and shared that they could be confident that their money goes directly to helping children and families.
“Catholic Charities works to ensure that families have a secure environment not just feeding or clothing them, but by raising them up,” Bishop Dewane said. “Catholic Charities provides the support and counseling families need to move on in life. The staff and volunteers do this with compassion every day. Tonight, they need your help.”
Christopher M. Root, Chief Executive Officer for Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc. thanked the benefactors for their steadfast support. “Thank you for making it possible for us to not just talk about the good things we do, but to actual carry out the works of love, the corporal works of mercy – feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the homeless – and that is all because of the heart you have for this community.”
Alex Olivares, Catholic Charities Regional Director, spoke about the different outreach done in the community which puts an emphasis on helping people where they are, making them feel dignified and loved while letting them to know people care.
Olivares presented the Frank K. Galeana Humanitarian Award which recognized Phillip and Roseann Sohn for their selfless dedication and unwavering commitment to supporting the Positive Youth Development Program at the Catholic Charities Children’s Center in Fort Myers and in Bonita Springs. For more than 20 years, these programs have empowered elementary and middle school students with academic tutoring, mentoring, literacy support, and comprehensive case management, most seeing marked improvements in their grades each quarter. Ultimately, many go on to pursue higher education or work in a trade. There are currently 60 children enrolled in the program.
Philip Sohn expressed the couple’s gratitude for the recognition noting that their volunteer work and support of the youth programs of Catholic Charities has become their passion which has the reward of receiving the love of the children while also witnessing them advance scholastically, emotionally and socially. He also noted that many who have completed the program have returned to volunteer.
The evening also included a special song by the Children’s Center children. Catholic Charities staffer Mark David Anderson, who competed on American Idol, also sang.
The evening included fine dining, silent and live auctions and a “Gift of the Heart” appeal. The emcee was Lois Thome, WINK News anchor and lector at Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Fort Myers.
If you would like to support Catholic Charities or learn more about their outreach throughout the Diocese of Venice, please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org.
