Catholic Charities is excited to celebrate this momentous achievement in September 2024 as we acknowledge our past and look forward into the future. For a century, community support has enabled Catholic Charities the ability to meet the unique needs of those we serve. We are grateful to our donors and volunteers for their support and help over the last 100 years. As we look to the future, we strive to continue to provide unmatched care to those we have the privilege to serve.
Catholic Charities Centennial Fund
The Catholic Charities Centennial Fund will provide continued help and hope, allowing each of our programs to expand their services and grow into the future. You can help us meet the ever-changing needs of our clients by joining the Catholic Charities Centennial Circle!
Catholic Charities Centennial Circle Members
Influential Leader Society ($5,000+)
- Barbara Q. Decker and Larry Willis
- Ann DiDonato and Mike Fitzgerald
- Joe and Betsy Happe
- Joyce and Terry Lillis
- Clinton and Sarah Luth
- Joan Miller
- Chris and Linda Nelson
- Chris and Jan Welp
Centennial Champion ($1,200 or $100/month)
- Dan and Mary Buscher
- Most Reverend Joseph Charron
- Thomas and Linda Cross
- Lois DeBaere
- Tim and Rochelle Grochala
- Steve and Sara Heddinger
- Eric Heininger and Tiffani Milless
- Bob and Mary Lawler
- Tom and Joan Quinlin
- Janice Reed
- Gerald Scott
- Katie Walsh
- Mike and Debbie Walsh
- Robyn and John Wilkinson
- Dan and Gretchen Wilhelmi
- Mark and Cathy Witte
Helpful Hero ($600 or $50/month)
- Marcia Anker
- Charles and Susan Beard
- Randy and Donna Burkhart
- John and Barbara Cortesio
- Julie Hale
- Barbara Hendrickson
- Deacon Bob and Dale Howe
- Cletus and Eileen Janni
- Tom Leto
- Bob and LaRue Maddox
- Antonia Mosqueda
- Doug and Paula Pearson
- Paulette Reveiz
- Luis and Ronna Rivas
- Joe and Kristin Stopulos
- Rod and Eileen Swoboda
Founding Friend ($250 or $19.24/month)
- Louis Albertson
- Jeffrey and Kimberly Andrews
- Michael and Joyce Babbitt
- Vernon and Dottie Bauer
- Andrew and Dorolyn Baumert
- George Brucks
- Jeanne Carpenter
- Frank J. Carroll
- Steve and Teresa Chamley
- Roger Craig
- Michael and Linda Croat
- Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Fr. Wm. T. Cummings Assembly
- Thomas and Amy Doud
- Pat Duffy
- Pat and Pattie Fraizer
- Duane and Bev Frideres
- Reverend John Frost
- Joe Gioffredi
- Fr. Ken Gross
- Scott and Valery Hanson
- Jeremy and Kristina Hulshizer
- David Kouri
- Ronald Krebs
- Anne LaDu
- Mary Langdon
- Bill and Gail McCabe
- Lynn and Julie Nelson
- Kevin and Mariette Nikolai
- Monsignor Stephen L. Orr
- Timothy and Grace Pettit
- Richard Retz
- Dan and Rhonda Schwarzkopf
- Donald and Sharon Sedlacek
- James Streck
- Harvey Sprafka
- Catherine Swoboda
- Mike and Julie Tigges
- Lora Van Lent
- Thomas and Mary Wardyn
- Jim and Laura Wenman
- Patricia Zawistowski
Our History
Catholic Charities was founded in September 1924 by Bishop Thomas W. Drumm. Since then, we have grown and expanded our social service ministry to serve those most in need in central and southwest Iowa. From basic needs of food and shelter, to empowering programs which lead to self-sufficiency, our programs provide a wide range of support to assist those in our community with care and compassion.
Legacy Leaders
Over the past 100 years, our organization has been led by many notable leaders. We are grateful for their leadership, guidance and passion for our mission of empowering individuals and strengthening families.
- The Rt. Rev. Msgr. M. B. Schiltz
- Rev. Peter J. O’Leary
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis P. Larkin
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis T. Zuch
- Fr. Paul Hans
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Paul J. Connelly
- Charles Roth
- Lawrence Breheny
- Nancy Galeazzi
- Shelly Starbuck (interim)
- Barbara Q. Decker
Our Impact
No one knows when adversity will leave them feeling hopeless. From basic needs of food and shelter, to empowering programs which lead to self-sufficiency, our programs provide a wide range of support to assist those in our community with care and compassion. We care for the dignity of the person, regardless background. Over the last 100 years, we have made a true impact in the lives of those we serve and in our community.
Throughout the last 100 years…*
*Since program inception.
