by Jill Ragar Esfeld
jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
OVERLAND PARK — The 52nd annual Snow Ball benefiting Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas raised $6,149,584 on Jan. 17.
The total was announced by Snow Ball presidents Ray and Sarah Evans and Kevin and Debbie Wilkerson.
“Snow Ball is a true celebration of generosity, family and religion,” said Sarah Evans. “Many of you in this room have given from your heart to help people in our community that most of us will never meet.”
Two thousand guests attended this year’s event, including 175 “Snowflakes” — young people committed to being the next generation of Snow Ball supporters.
Among the first-time attendees was Archbishop Shawn McKnight, who told the Snow Ball committee, “I have to say, you truly know how to throw a party!”
The archbishop thanked all the volunteers and donors who made the evening possible, saying, “Your generosity turns compassion into action.”
He told the audience that Pope Leo reminds us charity is not an ideal but a responsibility lived out in service to our neighbor, and he read a message from the Holy Father in the form of a letter from the pope’s ambassador to the United States.
In the message, the Holy Father “expressed his heartfelt esteem for the mission and charitable service of Catholic Charities.”
Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann was also in attendance and was named honorary president in acknowledgment of his decades of steadfast leadership and devotion to protecting life.
Opening the evening’s celebration, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas president and CEO Lauren Solidum quoted the Gospel of Matthew: “Whatever you did for the least one of these, you did for me.”
“This is not simply a verse he wrote,” she said. “This is a mission we are called to live.
“And together in Christ, we form an extraordinary community of love and action.”
Solidum went on to discuss future strategic plans, including expanding access to services, building financial resiliency for long-term impact and responding to emerging needs with creativity and innovation.
She specifically mentioned Our Lady’s Sanctuary of Grace, a new home for expectant mothers, and the opening of a new TurnStyles store in Overland Park.
Solidum thanked supporters for being “the hands and hearts of Christ.”
Save the date
Each year, funds raised through Snow Ball provide critical services of relief, recovery and renewal to families of all faiths across the 21 counties of the archdiocese. Celebrate the 53rd annual Snow Ball on Jan. 16, 2027. Next year’s event will be hosted by copresidents Brian and Lynn Dunn and David and Christy Staker. For more information, go online to: snowballgala.org.
