Keefe Society seeks members

Posted March 13, 2003

The Father Robert Keefe Annual Giving Society was established last year at Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Sioux City. The priest served as executive director of Catholic Charities in Sioux City from 1959 to 1969.

Members include contributors of $1,000 and above to the Catholic Charities Annual Fund.

According to Steve Elbert, development director at Catholic Charities, while individuals can become a member of the society at any time of the year, they are making extra efforts to promote it as they look to raise money for the Spring Annual Fund.

"We are fortunate that we have had some donors give at that level and we continue to get new members," said Elbert. "We are really fortunate to have Leigh Sherman and Deacon Jim Sands leading this year's Father Robert Keefe Annual Giving Society. We want to thank them for their leadership and support."

These co-chairs of the Father Robert Keefe Giving Society both serve on the Catholic Charities Board of Directors.

"There are many opportunities to be involved in social justice activities," said Sands, a deacon at St. Boniface in Sioux City. "Father Keefe was the director of Catholic Charities for a number of years and was mainly responsible for elevating Catholic Charities to the professional status it currently has."

He said the society is an opportunity to embrace and be a part of continuity in the areas served by Catholic Charities as the agency responds to the tenants of Catholic social teaching.

As a board member, he feels strongly about the work of Catholic Charities because it is "paramount in what we are supposed to do as Catholic Christians."

"Our goal for the Father Keefe Giving Society is to carry on Father Keefe's vision of providing people in need with the best possible care," noted Sherman. "One way to achieve this goal is to maintain the highest quality of staff possible."

Early on in Father Keefe's tenure, he recognized the need to professionalize the counseling care offered by Catholic Charities. With this vision, he began to elevate his staff to Masters of Social Work status by sending them to study at reputable universities.

Sherman and her husband, Ray, contributed to the society last year because they believe in what Catholic Charities stands for and the services it provides.

Elbert acknowledged that there has been a tremendous amount of fundraising and development in the diocese recently.

"People have really stepped up to the plate," he said. "People have been very generous and supportive. Please know that it is all needed and we are trying our hardest to be the best possible stewards with their money."