Gerald Rauenhorst, founder of Opus Corporation, was honored along with his daughter-in-law Karen Rauenhorst, with the Catholic Community Foundation’s 2009 Legacy of Faith Award, which is presented annually to an individual or family in recognition of their leadership and philanthropy in support of the spiritual, educational and social needs of the Catholic community. The two received their award at the Fourth Annual Legacy of Faith banquet on Thursday, October 29 at Town and Country Club in St. Paul. Tickets and tables for the event may be reserved online at Gerald Rauenhorst, who founded Opus Corporation in 1953, was instrumental in establishing the Catholic Community Foundation, along with Archbishop John Roach, in 1992. His involvement was a way of perpetuating his family’s tradition of charitable giving, which holds firm to a rule of tithing ten percent, from a corporate and personal standpoint, regardless of economic conditions. This practice has influenced all of his children and grandchildren, and the family is known for its generous support of Catholic causes.
Karen Rauenhorst, wife of Gerald’s oldest son Mark, has been influenced so much that she is a co-recipient of the award, based on her own family’s contributions to the foundation. “Gerry influenced me through his generosity. Once you start the process of giving – and giving from the heart – you receive ten-fold,” said Karen, who served on the Catholic Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, and was vice-chair of the Board from 2002 to 2005. During her time on the Board, Karen was instrumental in bringing the Catholic Community Foundation to a new, expanded office site in downtown St. Paul, hiring a new president and selecting board members, and making the foundation better known throughout the community. Karen also has served on the boards of Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, St. Catherine University, and many other organizations.
Marilou Eldred, Ph.D., president of the Catholic Community Foundation, commented on the selection of this year’s winners. “It was an easy choice to give the 2009 Legacy of Faith Award to Gerald and Karen Rauenhorst,” said Eldred. “They are wonderful role models as community volunteers and philanthropists.” Past Legacy of Faith award winners include Mary Frey (2006), Larry and Andrea McGough (2007), and Archbishop Emeritus Harry J. Flynn (2008).
ABOUT THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The mission of the Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) is to financially support the spiritual, social and educational needs of the Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and the Diocese of New Ulm. CCF fulfills this mission by working with Catholic individuals, families and institutions to establish and manage charitable funds benefiting nonprofits that are in alignment with and foster Catholic values. Since its founding in 1992, CCF has granted more than $67 million to Catholic and secular nonprofits locally and around the world. Based in St. Paul, CCF is the nation’s largest community foundation serving Catholic philanthropy. Learn more at www.ccf-mn.org.
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