Meet Our Special Guests for Hope Blossoms 2025!

JIM HANDLY AND CARDINAL McELROY WILL LEAD ST. ANN’S CENTER’S SPRING EVENT

Veteran NBC4 Newsman will Emcee Hope Blossoms 2025; Cardinal McElroy to Offer Invocation

Washington, D.C. 

Sister Nancy Downing, CEO of St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families, announced today that Jim Handly, NBC4 anchor, will emcee St. Ann’s Center’s annual Hope Blossoms event on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Columbia Country Club. Handly, who in 2022 celebrated 30 years with NBC4, will serve as a welcome and familiar presence for the hundreds of Washingtonians expected at the event, said Sister Nancy Downing.

“We’re blessed to have Jim emcee this meaningful – and fun! – celebration of St. Ann’s Center families and the community of donors who empower them,” added Sister Nancy. “This year’s event holds extra meaning as we honor Hon. Michael Steele and the Order of Malta Federal Association. I am grateful for Jim’s help and expertise!”

Sister Nancy Downing also announced that His Eminence Robert Cardinal McElroy will provide spiritual leadership by offering the invocation at Hope Blossoms. Cardinal McElroy, who was installed as the eighth Archbishop of Washington on March 11, 2025, has encouraged the faithful to become “disciples of hope,” echoing the theme of the Jubilee Year. This theme specially resonates with the people and mission of St. Ann’s Center, says Sister Nancy.

“St. Ann’s is a place where hope leads to transformation in the lives of young families,” said Sister Nancy. “The families we accompany – and all who support their journeys – are indeed ‘disciples of hope.’ We cannot wait to celebrate this hope, together, with Cardinal McElroy.”  

Event Date and Time: Wednesday, May 14, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Event Location: Columbia Country Club, Chevy Chase, MD | Event Chair: Vince C. Burke, III

St. Ann’s Center is one of the longest continuously-serving social service agencies in the Washington, D.C. area. Founded by the Daughters of Charity in 1860, today St. Ann’s Center helps mothers and children overcome crisis and achieve lasting independence and stability by providing a safe and supportive home, child care, education and employment assistance, and clinical social work services within a Catholic community that welcomes all.

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Tickets & Sponsorships

St. Ann’s Center will honor Michael Steele and the Order of Malta Federal Association at this year’s event! Read more from Sister Nancy and Event Chair Vince Burke III.

Thank You to Our Current Benefactor, Legacy, and Advocate Sponsors of Hope Blossoms 2025!

BENEFACTOR 

• Cory and Joe Rogers, Jr.

LEGACY 

• Kammie and Scott Bell
• Kathy and Ed Quinn, Jr.

ADVOCATE 

• Archdiocese of Washington
• Kimberly and John Manthei

Sponsorship Opportunities

For highlights from Hope Blossoms 2024, click here: https://www.cathstan.org/local/st-anns-hope-blossoms-event-celebrates-hope-that-outreach-brings-to-mothers-and-children

About St. Ann's Center

St. Ann’s Center helps mothers and children overcome crisis and achieve lasting independence and stability by providing a safe and supportive home, child care, education and employment assistance, and clinical social work services within a Catholic community that welcomes all.