Collins' to lead Bishop's Dinner

July 12, 2007

The 2007 Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Education will be led this year by Dick and Pat Collins of Sioux City. The Bishop's Dinner is an annual fundraiser that supports more than 6,000 students who attend Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Sioux City. The dinner will be held at the Sioux City Convention Center on Oct. 21.

Dick Collins, the youngest of eight children, was born in Fort Dodge, IA, attended Corpus Christie Grade School and graduated from St. Edmond's High School, Fort Dodge. He is a graduate of Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska and earned his masters degree from the University of South Dakota. Dick taught and coached at Bishop Heelan Catholic High School for 12 years, and served as Athletic Director. Dick retired from the United States Air Guard after 22 years of service and also worked for State Farm Insurance for 27 years, earning many outstanding awards, retiring in 2005.

Pat Hardy Collins is from Churdan and comes from an Irish Catholic family of six children. Growing up she attended St. Patrick's Church at Cedar. She graduated from public school and attended Drake University. Pat was a stay at home mother to their four children, Christine, Teresa, Jennifer and Ryan and was the recipient of the "Governor's Volunteer" Award. Pat served as an assistant to the Diocese of Sioux City during the "Centennial Campaign for Excellence". All of the Collins children attended Blessed Sacrament School and Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City.

Bishop R. Walker Nickless commended Dick and Pat for their support of Catholic schools. "I'm grateful that Dick and Pat have graciously agreed to chair this year's dinner," said Bishop Nickless. "The Collins family has always been a great friend to Catholic schools. Their passion and commitment has had a positive impact."

Dick and Pat have been members of Blessed Sacrament parish for 43 years and have served in leadership roles in the parish and continue to work not only in their parish but also for many community endeavors.

This year's dinner is set for Sunday, Oct. 21 and will feature award-winning CNN journalist, Soledad O'Brien. Tickets are $125 per person with $85 of each ticket going to Catholic schools within the Diocese of Sioux City. Last year, nearly $161,000 was distributed to Catholic schools because of the success of the Bishop's Dinner. Tickets go on sale mid-August. Visit www.scdiocese.org for more information or contact the Diocese of Sioux City at (712) 255-7933.