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San Francisco, CA – It was announced
today that Archbishop George H. Niederauer will present
the 2007 Loaves & Fishes Award for Outstanding Service to the Community
in dedication to the life and works of the late Leo T. McCarthy on
Saturday, April 21, 2007, at the 10th Annual Loaves & Fishes Dinner,
benefiting the 33 programs of Catholic Charities CYO.
Former three-term California Lieutenant Governor Leo. T. McCarthy dedicated his life to the service of others. As a fixture in San Francisco city politics and California state politics for more than 30 years, McCarthy tirelessly advocated on behalf of those in need and accomplished major policy reform for poor families, schools, foster children, seniors, farm workers and the environment. Though he ended his political career in 1994, Leo continued to be a champion for justice through his philanthropic endeavors, committing himself to service through his family foundation and as a member of the Catholic Charities CYO Board of Directors. Prior to his death earlier this year, he faithfully gave his time, expertise and financial resources to various organizations dedicated to helping our neediest neighbors, and went on to establish The Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at the University of San Francisco, which inspires and equips students for lives and careers of ethical public service.
In choosing to honor McCarthy’s life and work, Archbishop Niederauer stated, “Leo McCarthy dedicated his life to being a champion for the marginalized, the underrepresented, and the forgotten. His incomparable legacy is one of utmost compassion, selfless service to others, and an enduring contribution to humankind.”
Catholic Charities CYO Executive Director Brian Cahill added, “As a public servant, philanthropist and humanitarian, Leo McCarthy made life better for millions in the Bay Area, California and beyond. He manifested the greatest combination of intelligence, integrity and compassion I have ever seen. Leo was informed prior to his passing that the Archbishop wanted to recognize him for his service this year. We are grateful to the McCarthy Family for allowing us to proceed with honoring him in this way.”
Also being honored are B.J. and Bebe Cassin and The
Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation for Outstanding Philanthropic Works, the Nibbi
Family and Nibbi Brothers Construction for Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy, and the Auxiliaries
of Little Children’s Aid for Outstanding Community Organization. This year’s honorees are especially focused on assisting families and children in need – from providing educational opportunities for inner-city youth, to building affordable housing for low income families, to advocating on behalf of poor families and foster children to providing direct aid to abused, troubled and homeless children.
The Loaves & Fishes Awards Dinner launches Catholic Charities CYO’s Centennial celebration, which honors 100 years of the agency’s work as a critical safety net for families, children and those in need. Created by Cardinal William Levada, Archbishop Emeritus of San Francisco, and Clint
Reilly, former President of the Catholic Charities CYO Board of Directors, the Loaves & Fishes Award honors extraordinary charitable works in our communities and raises vital funds for the 33 programs of Catholic Charities CYO. More than 6 million has been raised in support of Catholic Charities CYO through the Loaves & Fishes Awards and Dinner.
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Catholic Charities CYO is one of the largest non-profit providers of social services in the Bay Area.
Our mission is to serve and advocate for the poor, the sick, the distressed, children, youth, families,
immigrants and seniors, regardless of their faith. All money contributed to Catholic Charities CYO
directly supports our programs in San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo Counties.
Founded in 1907 to care for the orphans of the San Francisco earthquake, Catholic Charities is an
agency of the San Francisco Archdiocese, yet operates as an independent non-profit organization,
and does not in any way contribute to or receive funds from the church.
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