SAGINAW – Bishop Robert J. Carlson announced Tuesday that the 2008 Bishop’s Charity Ball raised more than $300,000 for Catholic schools and parish religious education programs.“Final figures are still being calculated as the last bills roll in, but we have every reason to believe that this year’s event was very successful,” the bishop said during a special “Winner’s Circle” reception Tuesday evening at the Center for Ministry in Saginaw.
During the winner’s event, raffle ticket proceeds and prizes were awarded, including the grand prize $10,000 to All Saints Central High School in Bay City; the second prize trip for two to Rome to Randy and Cathy Schafer of Mt. Pleasant; and the third prize $5,000 home improvement project to Jim Schlicker of Saginaw.
All Saints Principal J.B. Watters said the winnings will be used as down payment for needed repairs and upgrades to the school’s boiler heating system.
Eighty-seven parishes and schools received checks totaling nearly $208,500 from their portions of the raffle ticket sales. Remaining event proceeds will be invested into school endowment funds of the Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan to support the future of Catholic schools in the diocese.
The Bishop’s Charity Ball, which took place April 25, is a fundraising event designed to celebrate Catholic education and benefit Catholic schools and parish religious education programs.
The inaugural Bishop’s Charity Ball raised more than $500,000 in 2007. Those proceeds included a $250,000 anonymous matching gift.
The 2009 Bishop’s Charity Ball will take place April 24 at the Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw. Its premier fundraising feature will be a new endowment fund created to benefit Catholic school teachers’ salaries.
The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw includes 106 parishes and 26 schools.
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