Caritas still hopes to reach its goal

TORONTO - More than $233,000 was raised by the Caritas Project’s 16th annual telethon on April 25.

Although the goal of $250,000 was not attained, Caritas’ associate executive director Ramin Deravian said Caritas hopes to hits its target as it is still accepting donations until the end of April.

The telethon was broadcast on CHIN TV and the Telelatino Network. It kicked off with a pre-taped message from Toronto’s Archbishop Thomas Collins. The broadcast also featured words of support from Peterborough Bishop Nicola de Angelis.

Caritas is a non-profit organization that runs rehabilitation programs for individuals who are recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. It also provides support to people with mental health issues and behavioural problems.

The money raised will help Caritas get through a recent crisis. In late February, Caritas was locked out of its main building in Toronto after a dispute with its landlord. Now, it’s looking to buy its own building with a new fundraising campaign called “Mille per Mille” or “one thousand for one thousand.”

The campaign was officially launched at the telethon and is seeking one thousand donors who would like to donate $1,000. Funds raised will contribute to the $1-million goal of establishing Caritas’ own centre.

During the TLN broadcast, the Caritas Foundation president Walter Simone announced that the campaign has already received $100,000 in donations.

Despite Caritas’ setback in February, Deravian said Caritas’ work is continuing, including  renting temporary offices in Toronto as well as running its programs there and at its therapeutic farm in King City.  

For more information, see www.caritas.ca or call (416) 748-9988.