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Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge & Porto Charities
invite you to join us for
Embrace
Porto Charities' 1st Annual Advocacy Awards
Embracing Catholic Education & Meaningful Employment for All
Saturday June 24, 2023
Bishop O'Connell High School
Arlington, VA
Mass celebrated by Bishop Burbidge: 5:00 pm
Reception & Dinner: 6:00 pm
Event Information
Event Co-Chairs:
Jerry and Pamela Pelano
Steering Committee
Leo Alonso
Carmen Chiappetta
Kathryn Doherty, Nominations Chair
Kim Perry, Auction Chair
Larry Rzepka
Lupita Williamson
Board of Directors:
Leo Alonso, President
Bill Dalgetty, Vice President
John Reidt, Treasurer
Bill Mundy, Secretary
Art Bennett
Patrick Cross
Sheila Earhardt
Christine Fowler
Paul Frommelt
Dave Hoppe
Stew McHie
Fr. Rich Miserendino
Jerry Pelano
Laura Saracina
Tony Stafford
About the Advocacy Awards
Dear Friends in Christ,
Please join us to raise awareness and funding to assist children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the opportunity to receive an inclusive Catholic education and meaningful employment. It is Porto Charities’ mission to increase the educational and employment opportunities for these individuals through grants and advocacy programs supporting the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.
More and more diocesan families are looking for these same opportunities for their children, but there are not enough resources available for all Catholic schools and parishes to start or sustain programs that address these needs.
We invite you to join us in-person on Saturday, June 24, 2023 for Embrace: the 1st Annual Porto Charities Advocacy Awards. This year we will be honoring the four Diocesan high schools, (Bishop O’Connell, Bishop Ireton, St. John Paul the Great, and St. Paul VI) with special awards for their role as leaders in both inclusive education and meaningful employment. In addition, Porto Charities Advocacy Awards will be given in three distinct categories recognizing the outstanding effort and impact the recipient has in inspiring an atmosphere of inclusion and belonging for students and young adults: Outstanding Parish/School, Outstanding Educator, and Outstanding Peer Mentor.
The evening will be a wonderful event that will include Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Burbidge with a reception and dinner to follow, along with a short awards program, music, and dancing. If you cannot join us, any donation, large or small, would be appreciated; and any sponsorship, large or small, would be greatly appreciated.
We thank you for your commitment to support inclusive Catholic education and employment for all of God’s children. May God continue to bless you and your families, and may the Holy Spirit Embrace you for your generous heart.
Jerry & Pam Pelano
Co-Chairs,
Porto Charities Advocacy Awards
Leo Alonso
President,
Porto Charities Board of Directors
Volunteer at the
1st Annual Advocacy Awards in the Diocese of Arlington, VA.
Porto Charities runs with the help of volunteers. At our 1st Annual Advocacy Awards we will need more volunteers than ever to make this event a success. We have several volunteer opportunities, from auction donation solicitation to on-site help, and everything in-between! Please consider donating your time! Email us at: kim.perry@portocharities.org