Less than one month after Appeal Week 2013 ended, volunteers for the annual Appeal in support of Catholic Charities of Buffalo must raise $1 million more to reach this year’s $10.7 million campaign goal. Today, the organization announced $9,738,391.31 has been raised in cash and pledges, representing 91 percent of the goal. Appeal officials said this is right on track with where the 2012 Appeal stood at this time last year.

Appeal Week 2013, held March 17-24, marked the strongest push for parish donations to support the myriad programs Catholic Charities offers, including behavioral health services, food pantries, basic relief services, the refugee assistance program, and counseling for individuals, children and families.

The 2013 Appeal ends June 30 and efforts to increase support from lapsed and new donors will continue in parishes, schools and the corporate community.

As |FAT| Fashion Arts Toronto officially launches its annual event Apr. 23-27 in Toronto we all look forward to the fashionista’s ,beautiful people, artists, models, dancers, trendy outfits, and timeless sophistication of many of the designs walking the catwalk. It is also important to turn our focus behind the scenes and keep in mind the countless people who are put in the hard work remaining dedicated to the arts and maintaining this fabulous illusion.

For the first time in American history on April 22, 2013, people in 200 cities and 45 states will join and will walk together in solidarity to raise awareness of child abuse and crimes against children at the inaugural Million March Against Child Abuse. Buffalo will be one of the participating cities.  Child advocate groups, churches, parents, teachers and many other concerned citizens from across Western New York (WNY) will take part in this national event and will converge on Lafayette Square in Downtown Buffalo and March to Niagara Square loudly voicing their collective outrage against child abuse along their route.