Catholic Charities of Central Colorado announced today that Jeff Zearfoss, a volunteer with the organization since 2005, has been named the Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) Volunteer of the Year for 2018.
Sister Donna Markham OP, PhD, President and CEO of CCUSA, said, “Jeff’s approach to volunteering transforms the routine task of preparing and serving a meal into an opportunity to help persons realize their inherent dignity. Whether he is working with a client, another volunteer, or a Catholic Charities staff member, Jeff instills in everyone a sense of self-worth and value.”
During his tenure as a volunteer with Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, Mr. Zearfoss has led the “Wednesday Group” at the Marian House Soup Kitchen, comprised of 45 – 55 volunteers, who prepare and serve an average of more than 600 meals. Additionally, he and his wife Melissa established a catering business, Common Cause Catering, which regularly employs individuals who have worked in the Catholic Charities jobs program – Life Skills and Career Development Center – which recently achieved a milestone of 300 jobs filled since its inception in July 2015. Mr. Zearfoss was also an integral team member during Catholic Charities’ response to the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires in 2012 and 2013.
The CCUSA Volunteer of the Year Award has been given annually since 1998 to an individual who embodies the mission of CCUSA. In that time, Catholic Charities of Central Colorado submitted nominations four times, and each of those nominees was named a top six finalist.
Jeff has done an interview with JustLove, which airs on SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio on The Catholic Channel 129. His interview will air today, Friday, April 13, at 10 pm, Saturday, April 14, at 8 am, and Sunday, April 15, at 3 am Mountain Time.
