Night of Joy allows Catholic Charities the opportunity to offer gratitude to generous donors. Since 1943, Catholic Charities of Wichita has relied on individuals, families, foundations and business to be able to serve thousands of people each year and they are truly thankful for everyone who supports the work to share God’s love with the hungry, homeless, lonely, disabled and abused.
Catholic Charities honored five individuals for the contributions they made to share the mission of the organization during the 2024 Night of Joy, A Gratitude Gala by Catholic Charities. They were honored as part of a recognition program created to inspire both current and future donors alike to give their time and treasure.
Night of Joy Honorees
Ann Oxler
Spirit of Joy Volunteer Award
Presented to an outstanding volunteer who embodies what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus for the people that Catholic Charities serves.
Anne is a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Doug for 54 years. They have five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren with two more on the way.
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.
Anne has been a volunteer at Catholic Charities for many years, having joined the advisory council for St. Anthony Family Shelter with her dear friend, Linda, about 15 years ago. According to Anne, her efforts to live stewardship as a way of life through her work with us is a way to thank God for the immense blessings in her life. The St. Anthony Family Shelter ministry answered her call to advocate for families and mothers.
Anne believes her life has been enriched by the work she has done at Catholic Charities; however, we feel she has enriched us with her dedication to those we serve.
“Volunteering at Catholic Charities allows me to thank God for the immense blessings in my life and make a difference in the lives of those who struggle with a heavy cross.”
Sharon and Dan Leiker
Servants of Hope Outstanding Philanthropists
Presented to outstanding donors who faithfully support the mission of Catholic Charities through their recurring gifts.
Sharon and Dan are members of St. Thomas Aquinas parish. They have been married for 38 years and have one adult son.
Early in their relationship, Sharon and Dan became aware of God’s blessings bestowed upon them and giving back to others became a priority in their lives. After touring several of our ministries, they saw first-hand how great the need was to support Catholic Charities. St. Anthony Family Shelter, Harbor House and Adult Day Services were placed on their hearts as a way they could directly impact families and children.
Sharon and Dan believe their giving has been directed by the Holy Spirit and through prayer. They have also been inspired by the work of others who share their time, talent, and treasure in gratitude.
“It is important to us to give back to others that need a helping hand and to share the blessings God had bestowed on us.”
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.
Wanda and Stan Gegen
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.
Wanda and Stan have been members of Sacred Heart in Colwich for over 50 years. They have five children and six grandchildren.
When the Gegens learned about Catholic Charities, they saw an organization that provided to families in need, supported abused women, fed the hungry, and provided counseling and senior care services…and their desire to support our agency grew.
Harbor House holds a particularly special place in their hearts as they themselves experienced the loss of a family member through domestic violence. For Wanda and Stan, providing a haven for those experiencing abuse serves a special need in our community.
“Catholic Charities enables us to help in a small way and embody Matthew 25:40, ‘whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
What is Night of Joy
Night of Joy is Catholic Charities’ gratitude gala and serves as a culmination event to recognize those who donated the previous year. In just its third year in 2024, Night of Joy is quickly becoming one of the “must attend” annual galas in the Wichita community. Attendees gathered at Prairie Hill Vineyard in Colwich April 13 for an evening of food, entertainment, fellowship and giving. They enjoyed a plated dinner featuring a spirit tasting, mingling with friends and an opportunity to continue supporting the mission of Catholic Charities.
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.
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
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
Contact Us
We would like to hear from you! Call 316-264-8344 or Email us:
Services
Counseling And Immigration
Disabled Adults And Seniors
Hunger
Domestic Violence
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.
Need donation support?
316-264-8344 ext. 1262
giving@CatholicCharitiesWichita.org
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.