Some 1,000 people attended the Beacon of Hope gala Jan. 31 at Wings Over the Rockies, raising more than $700,000 for Lighthouse Women’s Center and other women’s services run by Catholic Charities. The event outpaced last year’s attendance by 20 percent, and surpassed total fundraising by $200,000.
Keynote speaker Jason Scott Jones, a producer of “Bella” and associate producer of “The Stoning of Soraya M.” praised Lighthouse as “the most important organization in your community because it helps the most vulnerable members of your community at the most vulnerable moment of their lives.”
Lighthouse is a licensed medical facility across the street from Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains in Denver, the second largest abortion provider in the country.
Funds raised will also benefit four other women’s services ministries of Catholic Charities: The Gabriel Project, Respect Life Resources, Project Rachel and Father Ed Judy House.
Before the fundraiser, participants attended Mass at Risen Christ Parish, celebrated by Bishop James Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb.
Larry Smith, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, told Denver Catholic “the success of the gala is not tied just to the number of people, or the money raised, but to the spirit of the people who attended and their desire to participate in our mission of serving Jesus Christ by serving others.”
