On May 14, about 300 guests mingled amid the floral-decked space at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Maryland for the Hope Blossoms event hosted by St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families.
“The event is so beautifully named,” said Sister Nancy Downing, a religious sister in the Congregation of Notre Dame who serves as the CEO of St. Ann’s Center in Hyattsville, Maryland. “Hope blossoms. [At St. Ann’s] we see women blossom, we see their children blossom, and it’s because of the folks who are here tonight,” she said.
Hosted annually, Hope Blossoms is held to celebrate and support, through fundraising, the women and children served by St. Ann’s Center’s programs. In 2024, 66 women and children participated in St. Ann’s supportive and transitional housing programs and support services, with 16,893 total days of housing provided.
Through generous guests, sponsors, and raffle and auction participants, this year’s Hope Blossoms event raised more than $575,000. “We are so grateful for this generous support that will help many more families access critical programs and services at St. Ann’s Center,” Sister Nancy said.
Each year, Hope Blossoms also honors individuals who have served as advocates and volunteers of St. Ann’s Center’s mission. This year, Michael Steele received the Mary McGrory Advocacy Award, and the Order of Malta Federal Association received the Michele Heidenberger Volunteer Award.
“Hope Blossoms is such a special night here in the DMV. I’m so honored as a ‘graduate’ of St. Ann’s, from long ago,” said Michael Steele, who as a baby was adopted from St. Ann’s into his loving family. Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland and a current television host on MSNBC, has long supported St. Ann’s Center and has emceed previous Hope Blossoms events.
This year’s emcee Jim Handly, an anchor with NBC’s News4 in Washington, spoke about his first visit and tour of St. Ann’s Center, and how seeing the programs firsthand impacted him.
“I was truly blown away,” Handly said from the podium. “I got to meet the amazing staff and volunteers who pour their hearts out to the mothers and the young children every day, all day and night… It’s hard not to be touched by that, and when you hear about the programs that they do day and night, it is impossible not to be inspired.”
St. Ann’s Board president Mary Lou Goehrung introduced Washington Auxiliary Bishop Roy Campbell Jr., who offered the invocation. “Almighty God… We especially ask your blessings on those who we honor this evening for tirelessly accompanying, supporting, and uplifting those in need,” Bishop Campbell said.
Following the invocation, Handly pointed out that “This year, St. Ann's marks 165 years of continuous service to families all over our region.”
“St. Ann's was founded by the Daughters of Charity back in 1860. Wrap your head around that,” Handly said. He encouraged the Daughters of Charity present to stand so they could be acknowledged.
To emphasize how St. Ann’s mission has continued and evolved, Sister Nancy presented a film featuring interviews with four women currently progressing through the program. Sister Nancy thanked the women – K-La, Hana, Paige, and Mary – for sharing their “courageous and hope-filled stories.”
The evening’s guest speaker was Brittany, who successfully completed St. Ann’s Faith House program with her son in 2020. Brittany’s moving story drew a standing ovation for her and her husband Brandon, who was in attendance.
“St. Ann's gave [my son and me] our breath back. No longer do we have to hold it. Waiting for the wind to be knocked out of us again. St. Ann's breathed back into us all I thought I had lost,” Brittany said.
Vince Burke, the event’s chair and Msgr. John Enzler shared the stage to raise support for St. Ann’s programs through live auction items and a “fund the need” giving opportunity.
The program culminated with the awards presentation. Sister Nancy thanked Steele for “always finding time to support and uplift St. Ann’s and the families we accompany.” Steele then received the Mary McGrory Advocacy Award, named for the pioneering Washington journalist who advocated for and volunteered with St. Ann’s for more than 50 years.
Sister Nancy and Mary Lou Goehrung then presented the Order of Malta Federal Association with the Volunteer Award, “named for Michele Heidenberger, who volunteered for many years with St. Ann’s Center families until she was taken from us during the events of September 11, 2001,” Sister Nancy said. “Michele’s legacy lives on through the Heidenberger family, and through the volunteers who continue to embody Michele’s spirit of service.”
Michele Heidenberger was the senior flight attendant aboard American Airlines Flight 77 when it was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
Praising the Order of Malta Federal Association, Sister Nancy said its members “bring light and joy to our community. Thank you. We hope for many more years of friendship and collaboration.” Diane Oakley, Hospitaller DC, and Joan Glasgow, former Hospitaller Montgomery County, accepted the award on behalf of the Order of Malta.
In closing comments Sister Nancy thanked all who made this year’s event possible, and she also applauded St. Ann’s Board, staff and volunteers.
Honoree Michael Steele had advice for those looking to deepen engagement with St. Ann’s mission following the event.
“If you haven’t had a chance to come out and support St. Ann’s, especially on a night like tonight – Hope Blossoms – you’ve got to do it,” he said. “That’s number one. And number two, engage with the community that is often times forgotten. And those are the families, the young families especially who need that extra help.”
“Thank you to all the folks here tonight, and all the folks who have supported St. Ann’s over the years,” Sister Nancy said. “Thank you. God bless you. And let’s continue to help hope blossom in our world.”
The next Hope Blossoms event will be on May 13, 2026.
