Mary Agnes Lewis Receives Distinguished Service Award
Mary Agnes Lewis (third from left) poses with (l-r) Catholic Charities Board President Clinton Daly, Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, and Catholic Charities Executive Director Hal Smith after receiving her award.
Every year at An Evening With Catholic Charities, we honor a few extraordinary individuals who represent the best in our staff and volunteers. They personify our mission to cherish the Divine within those who need us and we are proud to count them among the Catholic Charities family. On Tuesday, March 4, one of our honorees was Mary Agnes Lewis.
Mary Agnes Lewis has extended her hand, heart and home to improve the lives of guests who eat at Our Daily Bread. For 23 years, she has reserved one day each month to volunteer at the daily hot meal program. Donning an apron, she can be found fixing plates, greeting diners or waiting tables in the dining hall where an average of 700 guests are fed each day.
As an advocate, she enlisted the support of her parish, St. Louis in Clarksville. Through her efforts, the church makes a monthly donation of 900 pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans that is delivered by her son Tim on his way to work.
In 2006, she and her husband, noted equine veterinarian Dr. Fred Lewis, opened their home to host the first annual Ten Oaks Cup Polo Match. Converting a section of their property into a polo field, tailgaters line the perimeter while others gather under a large tent. Sons Tim and Jim compete in the matches and all of the Lewis' ten children and grandchildren attend, with many traveling from out of the country. Many neighbors and local businesses also support the occasion. The event has grown in attendance each year, raising $66,000 last year.
Proving that charity begins at home, Mary Agnes Lewis shows how good works can have a reverberating effect in the community.
