April 12, 2013

Tom Crean will speak at Spirit of Service Awards Dinner

By John Shaughnessy

Indiana University’s men’s basketball coach Tom CreanIndiana University’s men’s basketball coach Tom Crean will be the featured speaker at the Spirit of Service Awards Dinner on April 18 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.

Crean’s talk will cap the celebration that will honor four individuals for dedicating their lives in a spirit of service to others—Gary Ahlrichs, Paul Corsaro, Adonis Hardin and Amanda Rulong, the recipient of the first-ever Youth Spirit of Service Award.

The awards dinner will also benefit and celebrate the efforts of Catholic Charities Indianapolis to help people in need. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m., and dinner is at 6 p.m.

During the 2012-13 season, Crean led the Hoosiers to a regular season Big Ten championship and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

“We are very excited that Tom Crean has accepted our invitation to speak at this year’s Spirit of Service Awards Dinner,” said David Bethuram, agency director of Catholic Charities Indianapolis. “He models the importance of service to the community.

“He is also a great motivator so I’m sure those in attendance will be encouraged to take leadership roles in promoting the importance of providing for the needs of the poor and vulnerable in our community—by participating as both a volunteer and a donor.”

Tables for eight for the Spirit of Service Awards Dinner 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. Individual tickets are $250.

The funds raised by the awards dinner will help support the work 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 served 44,331 people during the past year.

To make reservations for the dinner, call Valerie Sperka at 317-592-4072 or e-mail her at vsperka@archindy.org. The deadline for reservations is Monday, April 15. †

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