Catholic Charities Boston Marks Most Successful Spring Celebration To Date

The 2026 edition of Catholic Charities Boston’s Spring Celebration on Wednesday, May 27, was the most successful in the event’s history, raising a record-breaking more than $1.8 million for the agency’s essential work across Eastern Massachusetts.

“What keeps me going are the small tangible yeses we can offer to those who come to us for help at a time when the world keeps telling them no,” Kelley Tuthill, President and CEO of Catholic Charities Boston, said in her remarks. “We will continue to say yes in any way we can because all of you have said yes to us.”

More than 400 guests attended Spring Celebration, held at the Fairmont Copley Plaza and emceed once again by Paul Ebben, morning anchor of WBZ-TV and CBS News Boston, and Father John Unni, pastor of St. Cecilia Parish in Boston.

Spring Celebration showcases the life-changing work of Catholic Charities Boston and the collective generosity that makes it possible. Money raised through the event helps to ensure more families struggling with food insecurity will have healthy food to put on their tables; more youth will have access to after-school and summer programs, and more households straining under financial pressures will be able to receive emergency rent and utilities assistance to stay in their homes.

“Bless all those who benefit from (Catholic Charities) accompaniment and service,” Boston Archbishop Richard G. Henning, S.T.D., said in his invocation. “And bless all the benefactors who generously sustain this critical work.”

The highlight of Spring Celebration is the presentation of the John & Virginia Kaneb Justice and Compassion Award, which recognizes individuals who embody service, dignity, and care for others. This year’s recipient is Tim Sweeney, Chairman, President, & CEO of Liberty Mutual Insurance.

“Tim and his colleagues at Liberty Mutual have set a new standard of support for the nonprofit community,” Tuthill said. “In addition to generous financial support, each year, dozens of employees volunteer at our sites through the Serve With Liberty program.”

The award is named in honor of John, a former Catholic Charities Boston board chair, and Virginia Kaneb, longtime champions of the agency who embodied lived faith and compassion.

“I accept (the Kaneb Award) with deep admiration for Catholic Charities Boston, for your staff, your volunteers, your donors, your faith leaders, and your community partners,” Sweeney said in his remarks. “Thank you for what you do every single day. Thank you for the hope you create, the dignity you restore, and the compassion you bring to so many lives.”

To learn more about Catholic Charities Boston’s mission and support its essential work across Eastern Massachusetts, click here.