We invite you to the 35th Gala Celebration
Dear Friend in Christ,
For 43 years, the Catholic Community Foundation has stood as a steady sign of hope in our community. Through your generosity, lives have been strengthened, families have been supported, and Christ’s love has been made visible in tangible ways.
This year, as we celebrate our 35th Gala Celebration, Anchored in Hope, we look forward with purpose. The evening will benefit our Care Forever Fund, ensuring that compassionate care remains available for generations to come. In a world that often feels uncertain, we are reminded of Hebrews 6:19: “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.”
Your presence on May 1 is more than attendance at a beautiful evening. It is a commitment to sustaining hope. We look forward to welcoming you.
With gratitude,
- Deacon James Carabajal
- Chief Executive Officer
Dinner | Live Auction | Greater Giving Experience | Concert | Casino Games
Event Details
- Date & Time
- May 1, 2026, 6-10 p.m.
- Add to calendar
- Attire
- "Yacht Rock" Attire
- Location
- Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
- 340 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA, AZ
- Get Directions
Parking spaces are limited. Overflow parking will be available at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, with shuttles provided, 400 E Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
Meet the Gala Chairs
Debbie and JB Frere have been longtime supporters of the Catholic Community Foundation and its mission to strengthen the Church and serve the community. Their connection to the Foundation began when their children received the Christian Service Award, inspiring them to give back so that other students could continue their Catholic education. In 2014, they established an endowment fund to support scholarships for Catholic high school students and have remained actively engaged through initiatives such as the Giving Circle and Get Your Affairs in Order seminars.
Debbie currently serves on the Foundation’s Board of Directors, where she is in her second term and contributes her expertise through the Finance and Scholarship Committees. Parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Scottsdale, Debbie and JB are honored to serve as Gala Chairs and help bring the community together in support of the Care Forever Fund and the ministries that serve those most in need.
Benefiting the Care Forever Fund
Every person is made in the image of God, yet the dignity of the homeless, hungry, and poor is often overlooked. In Arizona, more than 14,000 individuals experience homelessness, and nearly one million live in poverty or suffer with addiction.
Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Care Forever Fund, a permanent endowment dedicated to supporting Catholic ministries on the front lines, bringing hope, dignity, and compassionate care to men, women, and children in need.
Through faithful stewardship and long-term investment, the Catholic Community Foundation ensures that these ministries receive annual support to continue answering Christ’s call to love our neighbor in mind, body, and soul.
Greater Giving Experience
As part of our evening, we will share in a special moment of collective generosity. Three Catholic ministries serving those most in need will briefly present how they are responding to the challenges facing our community.
Inspired by the discernment tradition of our Giving Circle, guests will be invited to thoughtfully participate in supporting this important work. Together, we will prayerfully consider how to strengthen these ministries and extend Christ’s care to those entrusted to them.
We look forward to sharing more with you about the Greater Giving Experience soon.