Catholic Charities Appeal 2007 leadership team named

Maher

Gregory Maher of Amherst and Michael Whipple of Williamsville have been named by the Catholic Charities of Buffalo as Parish Organization and Large Gift chairs for Appeal 2007. David Uba of Amherst was appointed as chair of the event, and Martha Lamparelli was named vice chair.

The leadership team appointments were announced by Bishop Edward U. Kmiec and Rev. Joseph J. Sicari, Catholic Charities diocesan director.

Uba has been involved with the appeal since 2001 and served as corporate gifts division chair from 2002-05. Last year he was the appeal's vice chair.

"It is an honor to chair the appeal in 2007," Uba said. "I have been involved in the appeal for many years, and have witnessed the efforts and dedication of the volunteers who are the true miracle workers behind the scenes. It will be wonderful to once again work alongside them."

Uba is a member of Christ the King Parish and is a member of the Bishop's Council of the Laity.

He is vice president of strategic planning for HealthNow New York, the company that owns and operates BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.

Whipple

Maher is president of Great Lakes MDF, LLC, a fiberboard manufacturing plant. This is his first year serving on the appeal leadership team, and most recently served as parish chair of the Large Appeal Team at St. Gregory the Great Parish.

He currently serves as vice chair of his parish finance council and is a member of the St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute Lasallian Dinner and Auction Committee.

This is Whipple's third year as chair of the appeal's Large Gift Division. Prior to his appointment as chair, he had served on the Large Gifts Division team for four years.

He is a business banking relationship manager/vice president at M&T Bank. Whipple is a past president of the Buffalo Chapter of Risk Management Association and member of the St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute Alumni Board.

He is also a member of Christ the King Parish.

Lamparelli is a resident of North Buffalo and serves on the board of directors for the Sisters Hospital Foundation.

Appeal 2007 culminates with the week of March 25 to April 1.

This year's goal is to raise $11 million to help fund Catholic Charities' family services, counseling programs, efforts to fight domestic violence, assistance for those who are poor, educational initiatives, and other human services throughout Western New York.

Uba

For more information visit www.1-for-all.org or call 856-4494.