27th Annual Guardian Angel Dinner Dance

Date: September 24, 2016 – Time: 5 to 10 PM
Location: Hyatt Regency Princeton, 102 Carnegie Drive, Princeton, NJ


The Guardian Angel Dinner Dance is our signature fundraising event and is a wonderful celebration and salute to some very special people who have positively impacted our ability to meet the needs of the poor and vulnerable.

This year’s honorees include:

For more information on attending the Guardian Angel Dinner Dance, contact Jennifer Leip at 609-394-5181 x1137.

David and Patricia Wright

Richard J. Hughes, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton Humanitarian Award

Wright_5X7_webBoth Dave and Pat Wright are longtime friends and supporters of Catholic Charities. Dave has served on the Board of Trustees for Catholic Charities for nine years, including service as Chair of the Board. Dave also has worked on building homes for Coastal Habitat for Humanity and has served on its board for a number of years. Pat has been involved in other activities supporting vulnerable individuals and families in the diocese.

Dave and Pat are members of the St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish in Spring Lake. Pat serves as a lector and eucharistic minister and Dave serves as eucharistic minister and sacristan. Dave also served as a eucharistic minister at Jersey Shore Medical Center for a number of years. Pat is a member of the Third Order of Carmelites and a member and past chair of the “Mary’s Child Pro Life Ministry” and is its liaison to the diocese.

Dave and Pat were part of the founding members of the Parish’s Social Concerns Committee. The Social Concerns Committee has initiated a variety of social justice activities within and outside the parish community, which the parish has generously supported.

The Wrights have been married for over 50 years and truly define the meaning of soul mates. They have been blessed with five children and thirteen grandchildren.

St. John Neumann Parish

Light of Hope Award, Burlington County

Pfleger_StJohn_5X7_web Founded in 1978, St. John Neumann Church is located in Burlington County and serves 2,900 parishioners. Since at least as far back as 1992, the church has supported Catholic Charities programs through nearly $50,000 in both monetary and in-kind donations. Through special collections as well as food and clothing drives, weekly casseroles prepared and delivered by volunteers, the people of St. John Neumann Church have generously and lovingly supported the mission and efforts of Delaware House and Community Services for decades.

The Very Rev. Phillip C. Pfleger E.V. (pictured) serves as pastor of St. John Neumann as well as at St. Isaac Jogues in Evesham. “The desire to help others is what motivates most of our parishioners to support Catholic Charities,” said Fr. Pfleger.

Peter Haas

Light of Hope Award, Mercer County

Haas_5X7_webA friendly and familiar presence throughout Catholic Charities, Peter Haas has helped to advance the mission of the agency for many years as a member and past Chair of the Board of Trustees. Peter also served as Board Chair for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) and is an active volunteer with the Knights of Columbus and numerous committees and ministries at St. Anthony of Padua in Hightstown.

Peter and his wife Lori have 3 sons and 5 grandchildren — Caitlin, Juliana, Marley, Graham, and Cecilia.
“The stories I hear from Catholic Charities’ clients inspire my passionate support of the agency,” said Peter.

Church of St. Robert Bellarmine

Light of Hope Award, Monmouth County

Sirianni_StRobert_5X7_webFounded in 1971 and located in Freehold, the Parish of St. Robert Bellarmine serves 4,100 households. Committed to reaching out to those in need within the community and in collaborating with other groups, parishioners offer assistance through the Fr. Benedict Ministry, Holiday gift and food collections, and the St. Robert Bellarmine (SRB) Help Center.

Parishioners worked closely with Catholic Charities through the St. Robert Bellarmine Help Center, particularly in the area of hurricane response efforts. (Pictured is Rev. Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni, VF)

Component Hardware Group, Inc.

Light of Hope Award, Ocean County

Franz_ComponentHardware_5X7_webComponent Hardware Group has been a generous supporter of Providence House Domestic Violence Services for many years. Under CEO Harry Franze pictured, Component Hardware Group has not only financially supported the Providence House summer camp for over 10 years, their employees roll up their sleeves and devote their personal resources to help promote peace and happiness in the lives of domestic violence survivors.  

Observed Harry, “We are proud to support Providence House, they make a positive impact on so many families in our community. I am truly honored to receive this award on behalf of the Component Hardware team.” 

NJM Insurance Group

Corporate Citizen of the Year

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton and NJM were both established more than a century ago in New Jersey’s capital city of Trenton. NJM views it as a privilege to serve and support the communities where its policyholders and employees live and work. This commitment has provided opportunities for staff members to give back to the community through volunteering, and in doing so NJM is able to further enhance community partnerships while enriching the employee experience. “It’s been a true privilege for us to be able to support Catholic Charities over the past several years,” said Bernie Flynn, NJM President and CEO.

2016 Sponsors (to date)

What are the benefits of sponsoring the Guardian Angel Dinner Dance?

More than 500 people attend our annual fundraising event which gives your business or organization great exposure while helping Catholic Charities reduce poverty, promote recovery and strengthen families.

To learn more, contact Jennifer Leip at 609-394-5181 x1137 or download our Event Sponsorship Form.

Select from one of several advertising opportunities within our event program journal for additional exposure.

Advertisements are automatically included with Event, Program, Underwriter and Angel Sponsorships, but they can also be purchased separately.

For more information on advertising within our Program Journal, contact Jennifer Leip at 609-394-5181 x1137, or download our Program Journal Ad Form.

Would you like to donate a item to our Gift Auction?

We appreciate your generosity! For a listing of suggested donations, download our Silent Auction Gift Form or contact Jennifer Leip at 609-394-5181 x1137.

Interested in joining the Dinner Dance Committee?

We are always looking for volunteers to help plan this important event. For more information about how you may be able to help, contact Jennifer Leip at 609-394-5181 x1137.

Need Help? Call 1-800-360-7711