The Association of Fundraising Professionals Mahoning-Shenango Chapter will recognize the Third Source Committee of Holy Family Parish as Outstanding Volunteer Fundraising Group during its annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon Nov. 4.
POLAND, Ohio – Luke Politsky, a member of Holy Family Parish in Poland, describes its Third Source Committee as the parish’s “fun committee.”
That’s “fun,” not “fund.”
Politsky’s description aside, the Third Source Committee has been responsible for raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the parish and other causes since it was established in 1992, says Frank Mazzarino, one of its leaders.
“Our mission statement is to help raise more money for the parish,” he says. The church and the school always have needs and the pastor determines how the money raised is used.
The committee started when a group of parishioners began discussing ways to raise additional money for the parish. Fr. Phillip Conley came up with the name for the group, designating it as the third source of parish funds, behind weekly collections and tuition from students to attend Holy Family School.
The group began by hosting monthly pasta dinners, then added themed dinners, Mazzarino says. The pasta dinners feature cavatelli and pasta fagioli rather than spaghetti.
“We give a good product,” he says.
The committee also runs raffles, St. Patrick’s Day dances, pancake breakfasts and Lenten fish fries.
“They’re the fun committee,” says Politsky, who nominated the committee for recognition. “So anytime we have a picnic, anytime there’s a special event, these people are the ones planning it.”
That’s just “what you see on the surface,” he continues. All of the money they raise goes back into the parish. “So not only are they fun people but they’ve really done a lot to support the parish financially.”
Funds raised by Third Source last year paid for computers at the school and to make payments on the parish mortgage, Mazzarino says.
According to documents submitted with the award nomination, the group’s fundraising efforts also supported landscaping, carpet replacement and buying a new organ.
Offsite causes the group supports include Habitat for Humanity, Rotary Club of Poland, Dorothy Day House and, recently, Ukraine refugees in Slovakia.
“The people who volunteer are dedicated,” Mazzarino says. “They want to help raise money for the church. That’s the bottom line.”
Pictured at top: Frank Mazzarino is one of the leaders of the Third Source Committee at Holy Family Parish in Poland.