Msgr. Reese award winner Chris Kenny addresses the Catholic Charities tribute dinner May 14 at Hotel du Pont. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Msgr. Thomas J. Reese award winner Chris Kenny was honored at the Catholic Charities “Heartstrings of Hope” tribute dinner May 14 at Hotel du Pont.
Bishop Koenig presented the award at the fundraiser that drew nearly 250 people to downtown Wilmington.
A business leader and philanthropist, Kenny was named the 2025 honoree at the tribute dinner, a major fundraiser for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington, in recognition of his outstanding servant leadership and faith in action in service to those on the margins of our community.
Kenny is president and CEO of Delaware Supermarkets, Inc., which operates six ShopRite stores in the Wilmington area. He is the immediate past-president of the Lincoln Club of Delaware and past-president of the St. Thomas More Society of the Diocese of Wilmington.
The event featured a live rendition of the national anthem by Saints Peter and Paul High School sophomore Madeline Williamson, invocation by Msgr. Steven Hurley, vicar general of the diocese, and remarks from Kenny and Bishop Koenig.
It also included a video presentation that featured discussion about the works of the late Msgr. Reese and the contributions made by Kenny and his family’s ShopRite supermarkets in New Castle County.
Msgr. Reese award winner Chris Kenny addresses the Catholic Charities tribute dinner May 14 at Hotel du Pont. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Msgr. Reese award winner Chris Kenny addresses the Catholic Charities tribute dinner gathering May 14 at Hotel du Pont. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
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Bishop Koenig presents the Msgr. Reese award to Chris Kenny at the Catholic Charities tribute dinner May 14 at Hotel du Pont. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Madeline Williamson, a sophomore at Saints Peter and Paul High School in Easton, Md., sings the national anthem as emcee Bob Krebs joins in May 14 to open the Catholic Charities tribute dinner. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Msgr. Steven Hurley, vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Wilmington, delivers the invocation. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Ruth Anne White, executive director of Diocese of Wilmington Catholic Charities, addresses the gathering at Hotel du Pont. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Retired diocesan administrator Richard Pryor appears on the video offering tribute to his late friend and boss, Msgr. Thomas J. Reese. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Chris Kenny speaks after being named winner of the Msgr. Reese award. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
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Chris Kenny speaks after being named winner of the Msgr. Reese award. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Bishop Koenig poses with students of Padua Academy in Wilmington.
Students from Padua Academy volunteered at the Catholic Charities tribute dinner.
