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.

Well, Christmas has come and gone.  We went from 2012 to 2013.  And now the Easter Bunny is gone for another year!  So, you know what that means my dear fair friends!!!  Yes, our next “Big Event” is the one and only, 174th Erie County Fair!

I know some may think that this is just too early to start thinking about the fair.  And that once it is fair time, it means that summer is nearly over!  But no, we must begin now.  We “real fairgoers” have actually been looking forward to Erie County Fair 2013 ever since Erie County Fair 2012 ended!!

The best place to start checking things out for this year’s fair is the official fair website,  www.ecfair.org. 

On their website, you will be able to countdown with me right to fair time.  It is a great way to see just how long you will have to wait for our favorite summer event!