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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Wednesday, June 12, 2002

Charity uses TV for boost

By Kapono Dowson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Catholic Charities Hawaii has launched a TV spot to build community awareness of its social service programs and raise money to support a caseload that mushroomed following the Sept. 11 attacks.

"Before 9/11 we used to get about 90 calls a month for services," said Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities Jerry Rauckhorst. "Immediately following 9/11 the calls spiked up to 90 a day." The volume of calls has tapered off, but it is still higher than before Sept. 11, he said.

The latest public service announcement, featuring former Miss America Angela Baraquio as spokeswoman, is part of an annual drive for the community organization and is not in response to the series of sexual misconduct allegations against priests here and across the nation, Rauckhorst said.

"We have a longtime tradition of quality services and great accountability with both the public and the state," he said.

Rauckhorst said donations and volunteers have increased since Sept. 11. He said Catholic Charities was able to offer the community trauma services immediately after the attacks, followed by monetary aid for people who were laid off or otherwise suffered financially.

For the past three years at the end of spring, Catholic Charities Hawaii has tried to make the public aware of its work. Its public service announcements are paid for by corporate sponsors across the state. TV stations donate free air time.

"We expect the spot to run over 1,200 times," said Victor Suyat, Catholic Charities director of development. This year's 30-second spot first aired at the end of April and will continue at least through June.

The goal this year is to raise $750,000 to develop programs for the agency's services to the elderly, families, and immigrants. The organization has 38 programs throughout the state that are available to all people, regardless of faith.

Catholic Charities Hawaii is part of Catholic Charities USA, a 90-year-old network of family, child and community service agencies for people in all walks of life. According to state officers, the organization serves approximately 21,000 of Hawai'i's neediest and most vulnerable children, families, immigrants and elderly.

For more information about Catholic Charities Hawaii, call (808) 521-HELP.

Reach Kapono Dowson at kdowson@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8103.