Earlier this month we held a fundraiser for our volunteer program--Franciscan Volunteers: No Risk, No Gain. We are now in the third year of the program and continue to be impressed with the generosity and desire to serve that is so evident in the young women and men who have given a year of their life to serve with us.  The fundraiser, organized by the Sisters of St. Francis in conjunction with Sara Marks, the director of the volunteer program, was an enjoyable experience for all who participated. The evening began with the Eucharistic liturgy celebrated in Our Lady of Angels Chapel here in our motherhouse.

Top: Current volunteers Bianca, Laura, and Rachel wait for Mass to begin. Middle: Former volunteer Mandee DeMarco and program director Sara Marks greet guests after Mass. Bottom: Sr, Deborah Krist, director of the Franciscan Federation, proclaimed the reading.

Following liturgy we moved downstairs to the dining room for a delicious crab cake dinner prepared by Caffe Gelato. The current volunteers, of course were on hand and were also joined by several of last year's volunteers. Always ready to be of service, they even assisted in serving some parts of the meal and in selling raffle tickets. That's right...raffle tickets. What's a fundraiser without a raffle! This particular raffle offered a variety of various types of wine--and culminated in raffling a basket of fine wines.

Top: The raffle table--each bag "sheltering" a bottle of wine. Middle: Guests consider carefully where they will place their chances. Bottom: Bianca displays the grand prize.

As we experienced each part of the delicious meal, we waited with great expectations to see what would be served next. We began with potato and watercress vichyssoise with Chesapeake Bay scallops followed by a salad with lump crab meat. The main entrée, of course, was crab cakes with mashed potatoes. Pistachio gelato rounded out meal.
                                                                                  

Just a portion of our delicious dinner

All who attended the fundraiser--the volunteers and members of the volunteer board, members of our Franciscan Companions in Mission, a number of our sisters, members of the foundation staff and board, and a variety of friends enjoyed everything about the evening--especially the opportunity to share with friends and, of course, the delicious meal.

Our thanks to all who made this evening a time of celebration, of thanksgiving, of friendship, and of love!