The 39th Annual Emerald Ball took place at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburón in Naples on Thursday, March 16, to support the programs offered by Catholic Charities Collier County.  It was an occasion to celebrate and come together as a community and was based on the theme eloquently expressed with a quote by Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Collier County, is committed to assisting people in our community with various needs, such as behavioral health, financial assistance, food distribution, disaster recovery, and rapid rehousing. Barbara Siniscalchi, the Emerald Ball committee chair, and the committee raised over $500k for Catholic Charities’ programs in Collier County.

Over 300 guests, including the Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, Frank J. Dewane, attended the event. The evening began with a prayer from Bishop Dewane, followed by the presentation of the James A. McTague Humanitarian award to Jo and Dick Rogan for their tireless dedication to their faith, service to Catholic Charities, and their parish. The award celebration was followed by an auction that included exciting items like a trip to Ireland and Madrid, tickets to the FedEx Golf Tour, an in-home gourmet dinner for ten prepared by Chef Bernard Layton, a Sonoma escape to Benovia Winery, and a stunning necklace featuring four pear-shaped emeralds surrounded by diamonds donated by Amoré Jewelers, The evening concluded with stories of success, endurance, gratitude and followed by an evening of dancing to the music of the Paul Vesco Band.

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