UPCOMING

Night of Hope event to benefit Catholic schools

By Ambria Hammel | Sept. 17, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

Plans are well underway for this year’s Night of Hope event benefiting the Catholic Schools’ Endowment Fund for tuition assistance.

Last year’s inaugural event drew more than 900 supporters of Catholic education and netted some $78,000 for the endowment.

“The goal is to make it nice, but raise as much money as possible for student scholarships,” said MaryBeth Mueller, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Phoenix. “It is all about our students and keeping Catholic education available and affordable.”

That means that organizers have been busy all summer soliciting sponsorships, donors and underwriters for the benefit dinner at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. The response has been positive with companies donating money or in-kind items.

Kathleen Horne, president of the advisory board at Bourgade Catholic High School and member of the Night of Hope steering committee, said soliciting donors has been the most rewarding part of preparing for the evening. She repeatedly heard their stories about how Catholic schooling and teachers had a positive impact on their lives.

“Many business and professional people draw a direct correlation between their Catholic school experience, their Catholic identity and their success as adults. I am anxious to get all of these people into a room together,” said Horne, a second-generation Catholic school alum.

Sponsorships have been a major push this year, according to Cynthia Scheller, event chair.

“The more we get sponsored and donated, the more money can go straight to the endowment,” Scheller said.

The endowment, which is managed by the Catholic Community Foundation, sits at $4.4 million. Its usable funds are based off of interest, however, leaving only $200,000 available each year for tuition assistance. The goal of the event is to double this endowment so every school can benefit from the funds available there. The endowment fund is aimed at providing a continual source of income for Catholic schools. Once invested, the fund yields interest payments that can be used to fund programs, services and tuition assistance.

“It’s great, but it’s still not a drop in the bucket for what we need,” Scheller said.

She should know. Scheller has four children at St. Thomas Aquinas School in Avondale, but knows families at all 29 diocesan elementary schools, eight preschools and five high schools could use tuition assistance.

Growing the endowment would mean more money spread across the campuses.

Invitations for the Oct. 24 event went out to parents and school leaders shortly after the school year began. Scheller sent a special invitation to booster clubs and parent and alumni organizations this year.

Besides securing donations, Scheller said getting more parent involvement is the other main thrust of this year’s effort.

“We want them to be there because they’re it. They’re what we’re celebrating,” Scheller said. “We want them to see a bigger level of celebration of Catholic schools.”

The evening will feature dinner, dancing and performances by Catholic school students.

Scheller said that the Night of Hope is also a chance for parents, school employees and local supporters of Catholic education to gather with key people in Catholic education. That includes Mueller, superintendent of Catholic schools, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted and Dr. Elinor Ford, who will be the keynote speaker.

Dr. Ford is the first laywoman superintendent of a Catholic school in the United States.

“She is a wonderful champion of Catholic education and will be a highlight of the evening,” said Mueller.

The other highlight will be honoring The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trustees with the Guardian of Hope Award.

“The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has provided enormous support to our schools, ensuring that we have the best facilities to educate our children,” Mueller said.

Grant monies have funded improvement projects at preschools, elementary schools and high schools throughout the diocese.

Guests won’t leave the Night of Hope without a better understanding of Catholic education as a whole and of the unique identity found at each campus. Two students per school will be on hand as hosts, escorts and mini-emcees to introduce some of the key figures at the Night of Hope.

The students are also responsible for creating the table’s centerpiece and placemat so that it represents their school. Scheller expects to see lots of plaid ribbons and bows from school uniforms to add to the ambiance.