December 9, 2011
Dear Parents,
I am writing this letter to ask your help. The PTO is making plans for this year’s Gala, which will be held Saturday, Feb. 11. We need you— we need your ideas, your enthusiasm, your experience, and your prayers.
As I walk through the halls of St. Ambrose, I see the results of the PTO’s hard work. Did you know that the funds raised by the Gala each year allow us to provide many things that directly enhance your child’s education? Thanks to the successful Galas, the PTO has provided funds for field trips, cultural arts presentations, and classroom equipment such as Activboards, science materials, leveled readers, musical instruments, basketball backboards for the gym, and PE equipment.
The PTO helps build our community through speakers, receptions for after the sacraments, and the ice cream socials at the beginning and end of each school year. The 8th graders participate in the Diocesan Shakespeare Festival thanks to the PTO’s support!
The PTO funds directly support our teachers in the classrooms by providing a stipend for classroom “startup costs” each August, funds for continuing education at the Diocesan Institute, and support for additional professional education throughout the year. And finally, one of the most significant contributions is Teacher Appreciation. The PTO provides a stipend to the teachers at Christmas and at the end of the year. I think you will agree with me that our teachers dedicate themselves to St. Ambrose, and it is so important that we show them our gratitude.
This year’s auction will be new and exciting! We will combine our silent and live auctions with an online auction on the Bidding for Good website. Irene Miller has done some background work on the new company, and Jenny Burke will be setting up our online auction. This will allow us to extend our audience to local and out-of-town friends and family, as well as visitors to the website. There will be some items available at the online auction only, some at the event only, and some that are available at both. Want to be a part of this new concept? Please join in the fun!
Julie Jeffrey has volunteered to serve as the Gala Chair. The committees are being formed, and plans are taking shape. Please go to the Signup Genius to join a committee (You should receive an invitation to get involved.) I would love for everyone to be involved in some way. Here are some options:
1) Join a committee!
2) Make a donation
3) Advertise in the program
4) Attend and support the evening Gala event
There is a job for everyone! You can work before, during, or after the Gala. One immediate need we have is arranging for donations. The Donations Committee needs help in contacting businesses. Do you have items that could be put into a package – Frequent Flyer Miles, tickets to sporting events, vacation homes, timeshares, etc.? Once the items are received, we have to put them in the database and prepare them for auction. There are lots of little jobs, so you can sign up for whatever fits your schedule and family commitments. Everyone is busy – so if we all work together, this can be a great community building event!
Thank you to all those who are working on A Knight for the Kids! May God bless our efforts.
God bless,
Barbara Dalmut