Diane Holtz/Key photo Early Curnutte, flanked by his wife, Willa, and St. Joseph Catholic Charities' Emergency Assistance Coordinator Dorothy Blakley, tells of his and his wife's recent financial struggles and the help they received from Catholic Charities.

"Without Catholic Charities, I'm not sure where I would be right now. Catholic Charities enabled me to have peace of mind," Justus, a mother of two, told the 225 people gathered at the Ramada Inn for the $100-per-ticket event. She and another client, Early Curnutte, expressed their appreciation for the audience's support.

"If you're supporting Catholic Charities, please continue to do so," Curnutte said. He told of how he and his wife, Willa, lost their jobs due to layoffs and health reasons, and how Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Coordinator Dorothy Blakley helped them get back on their feet.

"Dorothy's budget class inspired us and taught us things we didn't know," Curnutte said. "We're saving some money now, which we haven't been able to do in a long time. Catholic Charities has been a godsend for us. Dorothy has been a godsend for us."

Catholic Charities Foundation Director Paula Moss said the fund-raiser, which grossed $27,000, compared to last year's gross of $17,000, is a great way for the community to become aware of all the services offered at St. Joseph's Catholic Charities office, and to raise funds for the many programs.

"We are life changing and life saving. We save the less fortunate," she said. "You never know when you may need the services."

Moss noted that some of the proceeds from the fund-raiser would be used in the Emergency Assistance Program, which aided the Curnuttes. The program offers rent and utility assistance, referrals to food pantries, financial assistance for prescriptions, and distribution of the Bishop's Emergency Assistance Funds.

"Because of the high utilities bills this winter, we are seeing people who have never used our services before," Moss said.

Lance Zimmerman, a Catholic Charities therapist, his wife, Christy, and Kirby White entertained the guests with Irish music throughout the meal, and Father Patrick Tobin, associate pastor of St. Therese Parish in Parkville, sang the Irish tune "A Little Bit of Heaven."