Dear Parents,
Last night the PTO Board had our monthly meeting. With the event one month away, the main topic of discussion was the Gala. I am writing to solicit your help and to update you with our plans. I love the Gala!
First, let me tell you why the Gala is so important. The Gala is the main fundraiser of the PTO. The Gala funds are a major portion of the PTO budget. With this money, the PTO (you) support our faculty with classroom supplies and equipment, continuing education funds, and gifts that show our appreciation at Christmas and at the end of the year. Many worthwhile projects are supported – the Safety Patrols, Shakespeare for our 8th graders, social events, parent education seminars, cultural arts programs, and field trips. The PTO funds the receptions for the sacraments and graduations. I am very grateful for the generous support of our PTO, and it would not be possible without a successful Gala.
Now, here is some news about the Gala. You know the details – Saturday, Feb. 11 at 6pm in the Gym. The theme is A Knight for the Kids, so you can imagine the wonderful ambiance that knights will provide! The Gym will be transformed into a lovely venue once our Decorations Committee is finished. I am always overwhelmed by the transformation!
New this year:
Biddingforgood.com will be the location of our on-line bidding. Items will be placed on the website on Jan. 26, and the bidding will close on Feb. 9.
—- Some of the items will be declared “sold” when the bidding closes on line.
—- Some items will take the highest bid and move to the Gala venue (St. Ambrose Gym) for further bidding. If no one places a higher bid, then the item goes to the online bidder. But those in attendance will have a chance to bid on these items.
—- Other items (like Principal for the Day) will first appear at the Gala venue on the 11th. These will be items that are particular to our school – teacher donations, local merchants, class baskets, and some one-of-a-kind items. There will be both live and silent auctions.
Our auctioneer for the live auction is Fr. Peter Nassetta, YA (Youth Apostles), a well-known personality in the diocese. He has hosted many auctions for charity events. He is currently the Campus Minister at George Mason University. He has a love for youth and youth ministry. A little-known tidbit: Fr. Peter was a parishioner at St. Ambrose. He was ordained as a deacon right here in our church! I was there when he starred in St. Mark’s Summer Youth Ministry production of Fiddler on the Roof, performing an amazing Tevye!
Are you wondering what you can do to be a part of the biggest event of the year? We could use your help with following up with the hundreds of merchants who have already received our letters. You won’t have to “cold call” – they have already received a letter from us. All you need to do is call and ask if they received the letter and ask whether they can help us this year. Ask when and where we can pick up the item. We have a lot of followup calls, and need people to take our list and just start calling. Please call or email Irene Miller if you can help with calls. (Irene@avipm.com)
Attached to this email are two documents that will help you to tell people about our Gala. Please print them out and take them to your favorite merchants and see if they will support our school. Often businesses will respond to a request of their client or customer, even though they might not respond to our letter. These documents are also accessible on our website at http://stambroseschool.org/activities/gala-2012/. I would suggest that you talk to your family or a few friends about what you would like to bid on at the auction. Then make some calls and see if you can get it donated! If you have an idea, but don’t know how to proceed, please email Veronica Howard (vhoward1@live.com).
If you don’t like to talk on the phone, would you be willing to pick up a few items? Many hands make light work. Please call or email Julie Jeffrey if you can pick up a few items. (jaj225@cox.net)
As Chair of the Gala, Julie has a million little jobs. If you are willing to pitch in, please give her an email and let her know when you are available and what you can do. She will find you a small job! Ask a friend to join you, and have some fun – it really is a great way to get to know people.
If you are not attending the Gala, you can make a contribution by check, or by sending in an item for auction. You could offer to babysit for another family who would like to attend the Gala. There is a way for everyone to help.
If you did not receive an invitation, please call Mrs. Smith and tell her. They went out this week via email. You may send your check (made out to St. Ambrose PTO ) to the office.
We have one month. Every year we start to panic when we reach the one-month mark. And every year the wonderful people of St. Ambrose ensure that the Gala is a huge success. Please plan to be a part of this!
May God bless our efforts,
Barbara Dalmut
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