Volunteer of the Year
JANE McDONNELL
St. John the Baptist

This award recognizes an individual(s) who directly assists the work of Catholic Charities through a specific service or advocacy project.

Jane McDonnell has organized and chaired the Saint Patrick's Day Ball for nine years.  It is an annual event intended to raise awareness and support for the needy in our community.  Since 2003, this event has been for the direct benefit of Catholic Charities, and in this three year period over $100,000 has been raised in the community to support the services of Catholic Charities.  If it weren't for Jane's dedication to this cause, the Ball would not exist.  She is the primary reason the Ball has grown over the last decade.  Jane continues to carry the biggest load, despite having a committee working alongside her in this effort.    She is a dedicated and hard working volunteer.  

This event has increased the awareness of Catholic Charities in the community, particularly in terms of the mission to serve people of all faiths.  Catholic Charities obtains strong corporate support from the business and civic community.  

Jane believes in the works of Catholic Charities and knows how important it is for the public to know what Catholic Charities is doing in the community and throughout the Archdiocese.  One of the goals of Catholic Charities is to increase the awareness of Catholic Charities in the community.  Jane's work with the business leaders in the Oklahoma City metropolitan and in the Irish  community have created a huge awareness of the agency in the community and parishes.