2017 CARITAS AWARD RECIPIENTS
CARDINAL W. WUERL FLAME OF HOPE AWARD
Kelly Frey
WTAE News Anchor
A native of West Chester, PA and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Frey began her career in Monroe, Louisiana as a reporter with the cable television show, Hometown News. After anchoring the morning shows on KTVE in El Dorado, Arkansas and KTBS in Shreveport, Louisiana, She returned to Western Pennsylvania. Frey's husband, Jason, is a Lt. Colonel in the Air National Guard and serves as a tanker pilot with the 171st Air Refueling Wing, stationed at Pittsburgh International Airport.
Life changed dramatically for Kelly and Jason when the older of their two children, Bennett, was born with a rare brain malformation in 2009. Bennett has been featured on WTAE numerous times, and Frey recounts their journey at the Facebook page, 'Building With Bennett.' As the parent of an 'extra needs' child, Frey has been an inspiration to many.
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Rachel Lorey Allen
General Counsel at ALung Technologies and former Catholic Charities Board Member
Ms. Allen is widely respected for her servant leadership as Board Member for numerous local organizations, including the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Neighborhood Legal Services, Brother's Brother Foundation, and Catholic Charities. She leads with compassion, and at the same time challenges the agencies she serves to achieve their very best. Ms. Allen has over twenty years of experience as the principal outside lawyer for numerous venture capital and private equity transactions in a variety of industries.
LEGACY OF LOVE AWARD
Edward Friel
CPA, Schneider Downs, and Catholic Charities Board Member
Mr. Friel has been an irreplaceable contributor to Catholic Charities for years, guiding us with his financial expertise and leadership.
SERVICE AWARD
Michael Caprara
Senior at the University of Pittsburgh
Four the past four years, Mike Caprara has used his summer breaks to travel to Haitian orphanages with the Coalition for Christian Outreach. He has also spent time with patients at Children's Hospital, reading at local elementary schools, gathering food for Blessings in a Backpack, and preparing Ebola Caregiver kits with World Vision. At Catholic Charities, we like to keep our eyes on the next generation of community leaders, and Mr. Caprara embodies all the best traits of a servant leader.
LIVING THE SPIRIT AWARD
St. John the Baptist, Monaca
Among their many outreaches and ministries (including a bereavement outreach and a Substance Addiction Ministry). St. John the Baptist has for the past two years played a leading role in helping Catholic Charities' Beaver County Outreach plan and execute their Marcus O'Brien Service Awards Dinner