Lou Holtz to be keynote speaker at Spirit of Service dinner

By John Shaughnessy

Known for his humor, inspiring messages and flashes of magic, legendary football coach and motivational speaker Lou Holtz will deliver the keynote speech at the Spirit of Service Awards Dinner on May 11 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.

The event, which benefits the efforts of Catholic Charities Indianapolis to help people in need, will mark another return to Indiana for Holtz, who was the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame from 1985 to 1996.

Now a college football studio analyst for the cable television sports network ESPN, Holtz has a well-established reputation for giving inspirational talks about the power of the human spirit—a theme that resonates with the goals of Catholic Charities Indianapolis.

“It’s about helping people in need get on their own feet,” said David Bethuram, the agency director of Catholic Charities Indianapolis. “We look at this annual event as an inspiration and an affirmation of the work that the social ministry arm of the Church is doing in the community.”

The event will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m.

Tables for eight people can be purchased at these levels: $10,000 for a benefactor, $5,000 for a patron, $1,750 for a partner and $800 for a parish table sponsor. Single tickets are $250.

The funds raised by the awards dinner will help to support the efforts of Catholic Charities Indianapolis to provide family support, eldercare, crisis assistance and shelter while serving as an advocate for peace and social justice.

“Catholic Charities Indianapolis continually touches the lives of hundreds of thousands in need regardless of race, ethnicity or religious affiliation,” Bethuram said. “In the neighborhoods of Indianapolis and the surrounding counties, the neglected child, the struggling family, the challenged adolescent, and the hungry senior are among those served with compassion and dignity through our 12 programs.”

In 2009-10, Catholic Charities Indianapolis experienced an overall 30 percent increase in the demand for services, including help with housing and food, according to agency officials. The agency served 42,761 people—an increase of 9,000 people from 2008-09.

(For more information about the awards dinner or to make reservations, call 317-592-4072 or 800-382-9836, ext. 4072, or log on to www.CatholicCharitiesIndpls.org ) †

(Related story: Giving hope to others guides Spirit of Service winners)