Philanthropic royalty

Jim and Susan Tecca will be crowned king and queen at the Catholic Charities of Orange County’s 23rd annual Mardi Gras Ball at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

Catholic Charities holds the annual event to raise funds for the unfortunate and marginalized in Orange County. To keep up with the Mardi Gras tradition, Bishop Tod Brown of Orange County will crown the Teccas as the 2010 Mardi Gras king and queen of charity and the spirit of philanthropy.

“You know, it’s not about us,” Jim Tecca said. “If you can help people, this is the time to help ... It’s not about us, it’s about the people Catholic Charities is serving.”

The black-tie event, which draws hundreds of givers, is the largest Catholic fundraising event in Orange County, said Ryan Lilyengren, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, the umbrella grouping more than 50 diocese and parishes in the county and the organization that works hand-in-hand with Catholic Charities to provide social services.

Last year, the event raised about $330,000, which, in turn, helped assist more than 100,000 people in the county, said Tita Smith, Catholic Charities’ executive director.

The downturn of the economy resulted in a 40% increase of demand for people in need, Smith said.

“We know we’re already on track to serve about 145,000 people because the need is just so great,” she said. “This situation isn’t reversing itself.”

This year, Catholic Charities is hoping to match what it raised last year. In addition to raising funds, an auction will be held to raise another $75,000 to serve 300 families in increments of $250. Families in need could use the $250 toward basic needs, like paying for food, gas, utilities, rent and prescriptions, Smith said.

Catholic Charities put down roots in the county 80 years ago. During the Great Depression, when two Orange County parishes were trying to find ways to help, they hired lay workers to provide people with basic needs. These workers became the first paid staff of what is now Catholic Charities, Smith said.

Today, Catholic Charities helps thousands get a warm meal, survive and get back on their feet. One of the organization’s programs includes serving food each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Cantlay Center, a food distribution center in Santa Ana.

Each year, the Catholic Charities fundraiser takes place during Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday.” Mardi Gras celebrations take place around the world, most famously in New Orleans. The celebration ends Ash Wednesday.

The Teccas, a Laguna Niguel couple, who worship at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church and are involved with the local food bank, are just one example of many Catholics who give selflessly, Smith said.

“We look for an exemplary Catholic couple each year to honor as an example of many, many people in our community who are generous and faithful Catholics and who are especially sensitive to the need of the poor.”

If You Go

What: 23rd annual Mardi Gras Ball

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa

Contact: For more information, call Rebecca Tamondong at (714) 347-9628 or go to www.ccoc.org.