The six individuals who were honored during the 2023 Night of Joy, A Gratitude Gala by Catholic Charities, share a common attribute: all believe in setting an example of giving to their children and grandchildren. The six were honored as part of a Catholic Charities recognition program created to inspire both current and future donors alike to give of their time and treasure.
Night of Joy Honorees
Alan and Diane Buck
Spirit of Joy Volunteer Award
Presented to an outstanding volunteer or volunteers who embody what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus for the people that Catholic Charities serves.
Diane and Alan are two of the most familiar volunteer faces at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry. Diane first began volunteering at the pantry in 2007; when Alan retired from The Coleman Company in 2012, Diane recruited him to help her run the commodities food distribution program.
Alan and Diane Buck
Spirit of Joy Volunteer Award
Presented to an outstanding volunteer or volunteers who embody what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus for the people that Catholic Charities serves.
Diane and Alan are two of the most familiar volunteer faces at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry. Diane first began volunteering at the pantry in 2007; when Alan retired from The Coleman Company in 2012, Diane recruited him to help her run the commodities food distribution program.
Eleven years later, the couple is still responsible for organizing the twice monthly commodities day. Since 2013, Diane has logged more than 2,450 hours, including 318 hours in 2022. Combined with Alan’s 242 hours, the Bucks have a remarkable 560 hours of service, or about 11 hours a week, during 2022.
“At this stage in our lives our grandchildren and great-grandchildren are who we would like to inspire the most,” Diane shares. “We would like to instill in them the importance to treat all people the same and to time of their time to assist those in need.”
Diane and Alan, who missed Night of Joy due to illness, have been married 32 years. Their blended family includes four children, six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They attend East Heights and West Heights United Methodist churches.
Allen and Colleen Harvey
Faithful Servant Outstanding Philanthropists
Presented to outstanding donors who faithfully support the mission of Catholic Charities through their consistent giving.
Allen and Colleen Harvey are transplants to Kansas, having moved here from their native Tennessee in the mid-1990s. Although they did not grow up around Catholic Charities Wichita, Colleen’s mother set a powerful example by being involved with the Catholic Charities in Nashville for 60 years.
In 2013, the couple decided to begin making a monthly gift to Catholic Charities Wichita. Ten years and more than 120 gifts later, they are still supporting the work of Catholic Charities each month. Regular, recurring gifts help create a steady stream of revenue for the organization.
Colleen says it was important for them to get involved with the local Catholic Charities when they moved to Kansas.
“We like that our donations stay in Wichita to help people directly in our community, maybe even neighbors we don’t know need help,” she says. “We hope that through our own lives, we can inspire our children and grandchildren to continue generations of stewardship and a commitment to giving back to those in need.”
Allen and Coleen are long-time members of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Haysville. Allen is a retired truck driver and Colleen a retired teacher.
Allen and Colleen Harvey
Faithful Servant Outstanding Philanthropists
Presented to outstanding donors who faithfully support the mission of Catholic Charities through their consistent giving.
Allen and Colleen Harvey are transplants to Kansas, having moved here from their native Tennessee in the mid-1990s. Although they did not grow up around Catholic Charities Wichita, Colleen’s mother set a powerful example by being involved with the Catholic Charities in Nashville for 60 years.
In 2013, the couple decided to begin making a monthly gift to Catholic Charities Wichita. Ten years and more than 120 gifts later, they are still supporting the work of Catholic Charities each month. Regular, recurring gifts help create a steady stream of revenue for the organization.
Colleen says it was important for them to get involved with the local Catholic Charities when they moved to Kansas.
“We like that our donations stay in Wichita to help people directly in our community, maybe even neighbors we don’t know need help,” she says. “We hope that through our own lives, we can inspire our children and grandchildren to continue generations of stewardship and a commitment to giving back to those in need.”
Allen and Coleen are long-time members of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Haysville. Allen is a retired truck driver and Colleen a retired teacher.
Bart and Melissa Grelinger
Caritas Outstanding Philanthropists
Presented to outstanding donors who exemplify charity and Christian love of humankind demonstrated by giving to Catholic Charities for 20 or more years.
Bart and Melissa Grelinger are long-time members of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church who have embraced the stewardship way of life. The couple returned to Wichita in 1992, and Bart founded his neurology practice and Melissa split her time between being a stay-at-home mom and a professional volunteer.
Bart and Melissa Grelinger
Caritas Outstanding Philanthropists
Presented to outstanding donors who exemplify charity and Christian love of humankind demonstrated by giving to Catholic Charities for 20 or more years.
Bart and Melissa Grelinger are long-time members of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church who have embraced the stewardship way of life. The couple returned to Wichita in 1992, and Bart founded his neurology practice and Melissa split her time between being a stay-at-home mom and a professional volunteer.
The couple consider Melissa’s time on the board a life-changing experience as they learned so much about the great need for services within the community and all the ways the many ministries of Catholic Charities help address those needs.
“Our Catholic faith is very important to us and guides most of our decisions,” Melissa says. “The footprint of Catholic Charities is far-reaching in our community and shares many of our goals. We have been particularly moved by the children whose lives are enriched by Catholic Charities.
“As individuals, we can not have the impact Catholic Charities does as an organization,” she continues. “We truly believe that everything we have is the result of God’s blessings and we try not to take that for granted. Now, we hope to inspire our children and grandchildren to live a life that includes serving others and doing it with joy.”
What is Night of Joy
Night of Joy is Catholic Charities’ relatively new gratitude gala and serves as a culmination event to recognize those who donated the previous year. In just its second year in 2023, Night of Joy is quickly becoming one of the “must attend” annual galas in the Wichita community. More than 300 people gathered at Prairie Hill Vineyard in Colwich March 4 for an evening of food, entertainment, fellowship and giving. They enjoyed a plated dinner with wine pairings, bourbon crawl, entertainment by local artists and musicians, and a ceremonial transition of leadership from Wendy Glick to new executive director Traci Kennedy.
Catholic Charities created Night of Joy as a culmination event of a yearly giving cycle, allowing us to show gratitude to those who made significant contributions of treasure and time during that cycle. The evening also offers attendees an opportunity to renew their support for the organization. Night of Joy is not an event for which people can purchase tickets to attend; rather, attendance at Night of Joy is by invitation only. To receive an invitation and an opportunity to reserve a seat for this limited-seating event, a person must have donated to Catholic Charities a specific minimal dollar amount or higher during the previous calendar year.
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Learn more about the Faithful Servant Fund
Make an Impact
Learn how your gift can make an impact in the community and with those we serve.
Learn more about the Faithful Servant Fund
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St. Joseph Pastoral Center
437 North Topeka st.
Wichita. KS 67202-2431
(316) 264-8344
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Wichita is a 501(c)(3). All gifts are tax-deductible.
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316-264-8344 ext. 1262
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Wichita Diocese
The Wichita Diocese covers 20,021 square miles and includes 25 counties in the southeast corner of the state. It is home to over 114,000 Catholics in 90 parishes.
Wichita Diocese
The Wichita Diocese covers 20,021 square miles and includes 25 counties in the southeast corner of the state. It is home to over 114,000 Catholics in 90 parishes.