CCS humanitarians to be honored

Friday, Oct. 23, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — As Catholic Community Services of Utah celebrates its 70th year of “providing help, creating hope” for the poor, the hungry, the homeless, immigrants and refugees, and people struggling with addictions, they will pause Nov. 5 for an awards dinner to honor some of those who have contributed significantly to the organization’s mission.

“The Humanitarian Awards Dinner is my favorite time of year, because we are able to honor those who are truly making a difference in our community,” said Bradford R. Drake, CCS executive director. “This year is extra special, because it is our 70-year anniversary as an agency. We will be celebrating the great work of our employees, volunteers, and donors who have helped thousands of people over the years. The funds raised at the dinner will allow us to continue serving those most in need.”

Each year, the CCS Humanitarian Awards Dinner recognizes various people and organizations that make a difference in the community. 

The 2015 Humanitarians of the Year are LaVell Edwards and Ron McBride. 

Edwards was head coach for Brigham Young University’s football team from 1972 to 2000. McBride headed the University of Utah’s football program from 1990 to 2000, then was head coach at Weber State University from 2005 to 2011. The two men “have quietly performed great acts of service in our community for years,” according to CCS. 

The 2015 Lifetime of Giving and Service award will go to Dr. Dominic and Virginia Albo. 

“Dom and Ginny Albo have been unwavering supporters of CCS over the years,” according to CCS. “It was under their direction 30 years ago that our first Humanitarian Awards Dinner was created. Over the years they have continued to answer the call of help from those on the fringes of society. Whether it be the poor, homeless, refugee, addicted or hungry – they have been there to lift up others.”

Humanitarian awards will be presented to Benedictine Sister Stephanie Mongeon and Catherine Putnam-Netto.

Sr. Stephanie and the other Sisters of St. Benedict closed their monastery in Ogden in 2013 and returned to their motherhouse in Minnesota. “[T]heir absence has been greatly missed,” states the CCS press release about the dinner. “We honor Sr. Stephanie and the sisters for their work in the Ogden community over the years and for teaching all of us how to truly serve one another.”

Putnam-Netto “is well known for her ecumenical work as a reverend at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, but she does not stop there,” the press release reads. “Catherine steered the Dinner At Vinny’s committee (a community effort) which ensured that Salt Lake’s only evening meal service for homeless individuals and families would continue after the Salvation Army could no longer maintain it.”

The 2015 Partner of the Year is LDS Humanitarian Services, which “works around the world to help those in crisis, but one of their most impactful programs is right here in Salt Lake,” according to CCS. “The LDS Humanitarian Services partners with CCS and other agencies to ensure that our refugees are given the resources they need to be successful in life, including work training, English classes, volunteers, and in-kind donations.”  

What: 2015 CCS Humanitarian Awards Dinner

When: Nov. 5, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Little America Hotel, 500 Main St., SLC

RSVP to Andrew Robinson,  801-428-1231 or arobinson@ccsutah.org or online at http://www.ccsutah.gov.