J.D. Long-Garía/CATHOLIC SUN

Nicol Kaminski, John Buessing and Tim Tran listen attentively during their first day of school at St. Mary-Basha School in Chandler. The Night of Hope benefit dinner aims to secure Catholic education across the diocese through an endowment fund.

Night of Hope key to scholarship growth for school students

Some say it takes a village to raise a child, especially when it comes to raising one who is grounded in the faith.

With that in mind, organizers of this year’s Night of Hope benefit for local Catholic schools plan to honor more of those “villagers.” Instead of paying tribute to one person or group for its contribution to Catholic education in the Phoenix Diocese, the Catholic Schools Office will present three “Guardian of Hope” awards — one to an alum, another to a school employee and a third to a benefactor.

It’s one of several decisions the Night of Hope steering committee has been making in recent months as the annual benefit draws near. The formal celebration of Catholic education in the diocese gets underway Oct. 23 at the Sheraton in downtown Phoenix.

Proceeds benefit the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Schools Endowment Fund.

“This event celebrates Catholic School accomplishments and gives hope for the future of Catholic education by growing the endowment fund to assist needy students and families,” said MaryBeth Mueller, superintendent for the eight stand-alone preschools, 29 elementary schools and five high schools in the diocese.

“We need to keep our doors open for those families who truly want to bring up their children in a loving, faith-filled environment, especially during these difficult economic times,” Mueller said.

The Catholic Tuition Organization of the Diocese of Phoenix raises several million annually in tuition assistance through individual and corporate tax credit contributions, but it’s not enough. Mueller said the outstanding need still totals more than $25 million a year.

The endowment fund stands at $4.3 million with only the income from accrued interest — roughly $200,000 — available for tuition assistance.

“Each year we add to the endowment makes a difference,” Mueller said.

Lisa Campbell is one of many Catholic school parents who understand that. The mother of four, who is also the development director at St. John Bosco School, can only afford Catholic education for her family because of scholarship support.

Campbell is also helping to plan this year’s Night of Hope because she knows a Catholic education doesn’t just benefit the student, but the greater community.

“I’m really excited to see the schools come together. It makes a powerful statement about our schools in the diocese,” Campbell said.

Staff and supporters from every Catholic school are expected to host a table during the Night of Hope benefit dinner. Liaisons at each campus are publicizing the event as the school year gets underway and inviting guests to fill the seats.

They’ll start working with teachers and students in the coming weeks to create centerpieces for the tables. Guests can purchase the centerpieces at the end of the night with proceeds going straight to the endowment.

Some 700 guests raised $79,800 during last year’s Night of Hope.