Beth Katsaros Winter Clothing Drive

Beth Katsaros Winter Clothing Drive

It is hard to fathom thoughts of upcoming snowy, slushy months while we are enjoying these glorious balmy October days…, but they are indeed right around the corner!

As your family begins to clean out their closets in preparation for the coming months, we thought it would be a good idea to move up the date of our Winter Clothing Drive. This gives the recipient organizations a chance to get the donations into the hands of those who need them before the first cold snap.

Families are asked to donate coats, mittens, scarves, boots, and other winter clothing for the benefit of needy families in the Chicago area. This Clothing Drive is named in memory of Beth Katsaros, one of the original members of Old St. Pat’s Family Advisory Board, and a champion of the less fortunate.

The Katsaros Family joined the Old St. Pat’s community in 1987. Beth, her husband Peter, and children Sarah, Matt, and Kathryn, as was their way in many aspects of their lives, became active participants immediately. They became involved in helping at the World’s Largest Block Party, in the FXW School, the Celebration of Life, and Clothing Drives, to name just a few of their commitments. Beth was responsible for creating faith opportunities for the families of Old St. Patrick’s Church.

Throughout her life, Beth was committed to not-for-profit work, education, and public housing. When she learned of the assassination of a school-age child from Cabrini Green who was on his way to school, Beth made it a point of going to see the principal of that school — Sojourner Truth. They established a close relationship, and it became Beth’s mission to help the school in whatever way she could. She began by raising money for their Drum Corps which desperately needed uniforms and instruments. Appealing to the Old St. Pat’s community, Beth was able to raise the needed monies and eventually bring the students to our Church to gift us with their music during Mass. Soon afterwards, Beth and Dee Leonard began collecting coats and winter clothing for the Sojourner Truth School families. Unfortunately the Sojourner Truth School is now closed, but the need for winter clothing extends throughout Chicagoland, and we will continue to donate in Beth’s honor.

She departed this life and was born into eternity on January 20, 2001.

Please look through your closets to see if you have any warm clothing, winter coats, or boots that you can share.

Sorters and drivers are needed to help in this effort. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Kate Nolan at katenolan66@yahoo.com, or Kathy Bedward at kathy_bedward@hotmail.com.

Many thanks for your generosity and for helping to continue Beth’s mission to share life and love across borders.