Chris Kenny named 2025 Heartstrings of Hope Honoree by Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington has announced that Christopher Kenny, a distinguished business leader and philanthropist, has been selected as the 2025 honoree for its annual Heartstrings of Hope Tribute Dinner. 

Kenny will receive the prestigious Monsignor Thomas J. Reese Award on May 14, at the Hotel duPont, in recognition of his exceptional servant leadership and unwavering commitment to faith in action.

The Heartstrings of Hope Tribute Dinner is the prime fundraising event for Catholic Charities, uniting supporters from Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The event highlights individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving those in need. Each year, the Monsignor Thomas J. Reese Award is presented to an honoree who exemplifies selfless leadership and commitment to vulnerable communities.

A legacy of service and leadership

Kenny, who serves as President and CEO of Delaware Supermarkets, Inc., overseeing six ShopRite locations in the Wilmington area, is well-known for his contributions to the local community. He is also the owner of Delaware LIVE, a reputable media company delivering  local news to Delawareans.

Beyond his business endeavors, Kenny’s dedication to service is evident in his involvement with Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Delaware Military Academy Board, and his extensive legal career spanning Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. A devout Catholic, he is a parishioner at St. Ann’s Parish and a former President of both the Lincoln Club of Delaware and the St. Thomas More Society of the Diocese of Wilmington.

At the Heartstrings of Hope dinner, Bishop William E. Koenig of the Diocese of Wilmington will present Kenny with the Monsignor Thomas J. Reese Award.

“Christopher Kenny truly embodies the spirit of this award,” said Bishop Koenig. 

“His unwavering commitment to our community and his genuine spirit of servant leadership demonstrates what it means to put faith into action. Chris has always reached out to those on the margins with compassion and humility. We are grateful for his witness to love of neighbor, and we are delighted to honor him for the hope he inspires in others.”

Honoring a tradition of service

Established in 1989, the Monsignor Thomas J. Reese Award honors the legacy of the late Msgr. Thomas J. Reese, a tireless advocate for the marginalized and former director of Catholic Social Services, the forerunner of Catholic Charities. Past honorees have included outstanding individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in caring for those in need.

The Heartstrings of Hope Tribute Dinner is open to the public, and all are invited to attend this inspiring evening in celebration of Christopher Kenny’s contributions. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available, with all proceeds directly supporting Catholic Charities’ mission to provide critical services.

For more information on purchasing tickets, making a donation, or learning more about Catholic Charities programs, visit https://www.ccwilm.org/events/cc-dinner/.