NEW ORLEANS—The sixth annual #iGiveCatholic Giving Day raised nearly $13 million from more than 48,000 donors on #GivingTuesday held Dec. 1, “smashing previous records,” according to Cory J. Howat, president of #iGiveCatholic.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of so many people across this country and throughout the world,” Howat said in a statement Dec. 10.
“These gifts will be used to meet the spiritual, physical and educational needs that exist every year but are especially acute during this time of global suffering,” he said.
In the Diocese of Charleston, S.C., which participated in the campaign for the first time, schools, parishes and non-profit ministries raised $270,471 in support of their work.
Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone offered special congratulations to Bishop England High School in Charleston and St. Andrew School in Myrtle Beach, which placed in the top 100 nationally for the charitable giving day.
Bishop England raised $46,027 and St. Andrew collected $21,286.20.
Promoted on social media with the tag “To help form the next generation of saints,” Bishop England set a goal of $20,000 and surged past that in the final hours of giving.
St. Andrew also exceeded its goal and thanked all the donors, noting that “because of your generosity, we are able to keep doing what we do best today and for generations to come!”
Mollie Kay, coordinator of Catholic Charities of South Carolina, said they were thrilled to participate in the giving day, raising $4,825 for the outreach, highlighting their new mobile ministry initiatives.
“There are many people in need of services that just aren’t able to make it to our offices, especially this year,” she said. The funds will support programs such as the Mobile Clean of Heart unit, plus Mobile Food Pantry services in rural areas of the Pee Dee that have been hit even harder with food insecurity during the pandemic, Kay said.
Previously, schools and other ministries held individual donation drives on Giving Tuesday. In 2019, schools in the diocese were No. 2 in the entire country for the amount of donations received, with 24 schools pulling in $92,625 during the 24-hour giving window.
This year, the diocese participated as a group, for a total figure of $270,471. For a complete list of participants, visit https://charleston.igive catholic.org/leaderboards.
“The diocese appreciates everyone’s support, encouragement and investment into our schools and ministries,” Bishop Guglielmone stated. “I hope that many more will participate in next year’s efforts.”
The Catholic Miscellany contributed to this report.
