29th Annual Guardian Angel Dinner Dance

Date: Saturday, September 22, 2018 – 5 to 10 PM
Location:

Hyatt Regency Princeton, 102 Carnegie Drive, Princeton, NJ

Sponsored by:

The Guardian Angel Dinner Dance is a salute to some very special people who have positively impacted Catholic Charities’ ability to meet the needs of the poor and vulnerable. This celebration is our signature fundraiser raising much needed funds to support the 100,000 people served annually, regardless of religious affiliation.

“It is the dedication of our honorees, sponsors, and supporters that makes what we do possible. The Guardian Angel Dinner Dance is not only a celebration of these generous individuals, it is a testament to their devotion to our mission of promoting recovery, strengthening families, and reducing poverty,” said Marlene Laó-Collins, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton. “Proceeds from this event directly fund the services we provide in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties, and every thoughtful donation, no matter the size, supports the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

This year’s honorees include:

  • Paul J. and Margo Hooker

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

  • Church of the Sacred Heart, Riverton

    Light of Hope Award for Burlington County

  • St. Paul Parish, Princeton

    Light of Hope Award for Mercer County

  • Mary Lee

    Light of Hope Award for Monmouth County

  • Opdyke Furniture Inc.

    Light of Hope Award for Ocean County

  • J. Knipper and Company, Inc.

    Corporate Citizen of the Year

  • Guy Pue

    Client Achievement Award

For more information on attending the Guardian Angel Dinner Dance, contact Charissa Buskirk (Development Events Coordinator) at: 609-394-5181 x1159 or [email protected]

Paul J. and Margo Hooker

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

Paul and Margo are longtime supporters of Catholic Charities, driven to donate for over 23 years by their passion for social justice. They are active parishioners at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Sea Girt, and both taught CCD for years. Margo is retired. Paul is a retired businessman who owned luxury linens importer Sferra, as well as a longtime Little League baseball coach. In 1990, they established RallyCap Sports, a recreational sports program for children with disabilities that now serves more than 200 special-needs families in New Jersey, Ohio and Michigan. They have three children and seven grandchildren, and another on the way.

Church of the Sacred Heart, Riverton

Light of Hope Award, Burlington County

For decades, countless parishioners from the Church of the Sacred Heart in Riverton have quietly and anonymously donated money and goods to Burlington Community Services and Providence House in Burlington County. The parish collects canned goods, clothing and other donations, with volunteers making weekly deliveries to Community Services after Mass and help stock shelves. Parishioners are always quick to donate Christmas gifts for Catholic Charities clients and volunteer at the Taste of Burlington, a food fest now in its 24th year that benefits Providence House.

St. Paul Parish, Princeton

Light of Hope Award, Mercer County

At St. Paul’s of Princeton, parishioners and students at the parish school regard social justice and community service as “faith in action.” Both regularly collect food and backpacks and other supplies for Catholic Charities clients, rallying to organize drives whenever a need arises. Students also raise money every Christmas to adopt a family from Community Services, while parishioners participate in the Giving Tree to ensure a happy holiday for those in need.

Mary Lee

Light of Hope Award, Monmouth County

Mary has served on Catholic Charities’ Monmouth County board for 12 years. As chair of the board’s outreach committee, she oversees the collection and distribution of donations for virtually every holiday or need, including Easter and Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas gifts, clothing and diapers for the clients of the Monmouth County programs. Mary also organizes the gift auction for the County Board fundraisers each year. Mary and Michael, her husband of 35 years, are active members of the Church of St. Leo the Great in Lincroft, where Mary runs Caregiving Friends, Ageless in the Lord, an elder-care friendship ministry. They have four children and one granddaughter.

Opdyke Furniture Inc.

Light of Hope Award, Ocean County

Audrey Edelhauser and her sisters-in-law Gigi and Lynn Opdyke own Opdyke Furniture Inc., a business Edelhauser’s grandparents started in 1947. Opdyke Furniture has hosted an annual Holiday Shoppe at their Point Pleasant store since 2003, donating all ticket proceeds and 10 percent of sales to Catholic Charities Providence House of Ocean County. The event, usually held in October, draws hundreds of supporters and has raised over $14,000 to help women and children in crisis. They also put up a Giving Tree, suggesting holiday gifts customers can buy for the mothers staying at Providence House to give to their children. 

J. Knipper and Company, Inc.

Corporate Citizen of the Year

J. Knipper and Company, Inc., a Lakewood-based healthcare marketing and pharmaceutical sampling firm, has graciously donated the printing of the Guardian Angel Dinner Dance program journal, allowing all revenue generated through ads to support the programs of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton. Generosity is second nature for the firm, which Jim Knipper and his father Joe founded in 1987: more than half of their 500-plus employees engage in some form of volunteer service on a weekly basis, living out the company’s core “CHART” values of caring, honesty, accountability, respect and trust. The firm also supports programs in Ocean County collecting food for the hungry.

Guy Pue

Client Achievement Award

Guy is one of more than 3 million Americans living with schizophrenia and one of the 22 million Americans battling drug addiction; he made the courageous decision to seek help in 2002 when he entered Catholic Charities’ Program of Assertive Community Treatment, PACT. Over the last 16 years Guy has come a long way. He currently works as a landscaper, painter and bricklayer and frequently mentors other PACT clients to support them on their journey to recovery. He lives in Trenton with his girlfriend, Carol.

2018 Sponsors (to date)

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

More than 350 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 Charissa Buskirk (Development Events Coordinator) at:
609-394-5181 x1159 or [email protected],
or download our Event Sponsorship and Program Journal Ad Form.

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

Advertisements are automatically included with Premier, Partner, Program, Archangel, Guardian Angel, and Angel Sponsorships, but they can also be purchased separately.

For more information on advertising within our Program Journal, contact Charissa Buskirk (Development Events Coordinator) at: 609-394-5181 x1159 or [email protected], or download our Event Sponsorship and Program Journal Ad Form.

2018 Dinner Dance Committee

  • Vladimir and Rachelle St. Phard (Co-Chairs)
  • Michael Berman
  • Audrey Edelhauser
  • Maureen Edore
  • Josie Esquivel
  • Tina Gaggiano
  • Paul Hooker
  • Margo Hooker
  • William P. Isele
  • Thomas Keefe
  • Judithann Keefe
  • Dolores Kelley
  • Ryan Killeen
  • Mary Lee
  • Wally Loza
  • Elaine Molen
  • Lisa C. Motz
  • Anthony Persichilli
  • Jeff Richardson
  • Mary Ann Saville
  • Gary Schuck
  • Fran Stinsman
  • John Tesoro
  • David Toner

We are always looking for volunteers to help plan this important event. For more information about how you may be able to help, contact Charissa Buskirk (Development Events Coordinator) at: 609-394-5181 x1159 or [email protected]



For details and sponsorship information for next year’s 30TH ANNUAL GUARDIAN ANGEL DINNER DANCE contact Charissa Buskirk (Development Events Coordinator) at: 609-394-5181 x1159 or [email protected]

Need Help? Call 1-800-360-7711