Thomas O'Reilly, a 10-year volunteer with the Bucks County Family Service Center of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, was named a finalist for the 2007 National Volunteer of the Year Award by Catholic Charities USA. He was one of only 14 national volunteers given the honor. O'Reilly was named a finalist due to his volunteer work with the Bucks County Family Service Center, which includes delivering baked goods donated by vendors twice a week to Mary's Food Cupboard.

O'Reilly's work also includes academic assistance to Liberian children in need of tutoring. For over two and a half years he has been tutoring a young high school student who had the education level of an elementary school student before working with O'Reilly. Today, not only is the student a high school graduate, but she has also gained employment. The success of the student is a testament to O'Reilly's long-term commitment and devotion to volunteering with Catholic Social Services.

Catholic Charities USA offers the National Volunteer of the Year Award annually as recognition to all the volunteers that dedicate themselves to the Catholic Charities network. Throughout the year, local Catholic Charities agencies across the country rely on over 263,000 volunteers to assist approximately 7.4 million people of all faiths and with a wide variety of needs. The 2007 award recipient was announced during National Volunteer Week, April 15 through April 21, 2007. Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is among the largest providers of social services in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747