Catholic Charities Boston Shows Its Appreciation for Volunteers

Even at an event honoring volunteers’ invaluable contributions to Catholic Charities Boston, many of the honorees humbly deflected the praise. 

“This award is not just for me but for everyone I work with,” said Joan Horgan, the 2026 Refugee and Immigrant Services Outstanding Volunteer Award Recipient.

“I have benefited so much more than I feel like I have given.”

Horgan was among the Catholic Charities Boston volunteers celebrated at the agency’s second annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Boston College High School. More than 50 volunteers, Catholic Charities leadership and staff, and agency partners gathered to recognize those who give their time, talents, and compassion across the agency.

The breakfast is part of a broader revitalization of the volunteer program, made possible by a $1 million gift to expand the program and better engage the community. Last year, volunteers donated more than 24,000 service hours to Catholic Charities, which is the equivalent of 12 full-time employees. 

“While we can measure the hours, what we can’t measure is the hope you help restore in our clients and the lasting impact that stays with them long after your volunteer shift ends,” said Catholic Charities Boston President & CEO Kelley Tuthill in her remarks at the breakfast. “Every role matters, every hour matters, and every act of kindness matters.” 

The breakfast program featured a presentation of pins to those volunteers who have reached milestones in years of service, as well as recognizing longtime volunteers who are “retiring.” One of these retirees, Betty Crowley, was honored for her more than 40 years of volunteering at Sunset Point Camp. She shared that, in fact, she first started volunteering with Catholic Charities Boston in 1940, volunteering at an agency-run orphanage where her father worked as a doctor. 

In addition to Horgan, Outstanding Volunteer Awards were presented to Iris Santos for her work at the Lowell Food Pantry, Christine Avery for her support of the Teen Center, and Lisa Sanborn, who teaches ESOL classes at the English Language Learning Academy. Additionally, Boston College received the Volunteer Partner of the Year Award. 

“We know there will continue to be tremendous need across our communities in the months ahead,” said Paula Finnerty, Senior Vice President of Advancement, who oversees the agency’s volunteer team. “But when we look around this room, we are
filled with hope. Every one of you has chosen to respond to that need with generosity, compassion, and action, and together, that makes an extraordinary difference.”