The Independent Catholic Foundation celebrated 35 years as a community foundation for Catholic causes with a gala dinner on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at the Blair County Convention Center. Celebrity MC Marty Radovanic guided us through the evening which featured Jay Paterno as our stellar guest speaker followed by award presentations. The “Family Legacy Award” was presented by ICF Board Chair Tom McAneny to the Paterno Family for its involvement in the Penn State Catholic Community for more than sixty years. Former ICF Board Chair Mark Thomas introduced Jay Paterno and later presented John Wolf (in his absence) with a Trustee Appreciation Award for his 30 years of dedicated service as a member of the ICF Board of Trustees including two years as Board Chair. Jay Paterno presented Father Matthew Laffey, OSB, with an ICF Clergy Legacy Award for his role as campus ministry director during a 20+ year period as well as the founding director of the Sue Paterno Catholic Student Faith Center. Former Board Chair Joe Keller presented Marty Marasco’s presentation of an ICF Trustee Appreciation Award to Hampton “Hap” Durbin for his 25 years of committed service on the ICF Board of Trustees.
More than two dozen sponsors in addition to individual ticket purchasers allowed us to contribute $10,000 to Catholic Charities of Altoona-Johnstown for its critical initiatives in our local communities.
Please click on this link to view the official gala program book.
(Jay Paterno, Sue Paterno, Father Matthew Laffey, OSB, Catholic Charities Executive Director Cindy O’Connor, ICF CEO Chris Ringkamp, Hap Durbin. Photo by Teresa Golden)
