2008 St. Cecilia Gala Sets New Record; Over $225,000 Raised!

(Ames, IA) The 2008 St. Cecilia Gala Committee announced that at the April 19, 2008 event, the St. Cecilia Gala, over $225,000 was raised to go toward the St. Cecilia Education Endowment Fund, as well as to underwrite SMARTboard technology purchases, installation, software and maintenance for the school. The theme this year was “Sharing Our Gifts from God”.

Over 300 people attended the event, held at the Gateway Hotel & Conference Center. The features of the evening included appetizers and dinner, a Live and Silent Auction, a 50/50 raffle, a game of chance called "Heads or Tails" (the winner of it won a 42” LCD TV and a catered party for 50 from Hy-Vee Catering); the evening was headlined by renowned charity auctioneer David A. Goodman, from Chicago, IL, and the evening was emceed by Gala co-chair David Suntken.

Prior to the Live Auction, Parish Council President Chuck Gilarski announced the Honorary Alumnus Award was being given to William J. Burke, longtime contributor to and parishioner of St. Cecilia. Johna and Todd Clancy, who have been deeply involved for several years in many volunteer activities at the school and church, were given the award for Outstanding Volunteers.

Saint Cecilia School has been providing Catholic Christian education to children in the Ames area for more than 80 years (1925). The school currently serves over 250 area children, from its blossoming preschool programs, through fifth grade. Church programs also provide religious education and fellowship to children and families from Ames and surrounding communities. In the first two years, the St. Cecilia Gala proceeds exceeded $144,000 each year. Ninety percent was placed in the Saint Cecilia Education Endowment Fund with the remaining funds being used to purchase ‘immediate needs’ materials for school and youth religious education programs.

The 2008 St. Cecilia Gala Co-chairs are Jody & Darryl Bennett, Jennifer & Chris Masini, and Dianne & David Suntken.

Pictured below are the Gala Co-chairs and some members of the Gala volunteer team. From left to right, the women in the picture are: Kelly Stewart, Marcie Niegsch, Dianne Suntken, Jody Bennett, Jean Dirks, and Jennifer Masini. From left to right, the men in the picture are: Jason Niegsch, David Suntken, Darryl Bennett, Auctioneer David Goodman, and Chris Masini.

(A fun game held midway through the Live Auction!)

Heads or Tails Information & Rules

1. Bracelets can be purchased at the Registration table when you check in or before the Live Auction begins. The price is $25 per person.

2. Each participant will receive a wristband to put on before playing.

3. Put on your glow wristband to show that you’re ready to play. The auctioneer will announce when "... it's time to play Heads or Tails!"

4. When directed, place both hands on your head or your “tail” to await the result of the coin toss.

5. Players matching the coin toss remain standing.

6. Coin toss will repeat. The last person standing wins the game and the prize!

The 2008 Gala Heads or Tails Prize:

42” LCD TV (Thank you: Phil Stegman/Total Home Technology) & Super Bowl Party for 50 (Thank you: Hy-Vee Catering)

The Gala PR machine is in full force. Check out the great article in the Ames Tribune from April 8, 2008.

http://www.midiowanews.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=19463247&BRD=2700&PAG=46...

The Gala 2008 Committee is excited to announce that they have contracted the services of renowned charity benefit fundraising auctioneer, David A. Goodman. David A. Goodman, a professional charity benefit fundraising auctioneer, is the founder and President of Auction Results, whose sole focus is on auction fundraising for 501(c)(3) Charitable Organizations. Goodman has been a professional benefit auctioneer and entertainer for over 20 years and has helped raise millions of dollars for charity through auction events. While based in Chicago, IL, Goodman has provided fundraising auction services in over 30 states and was recently featured on NBC’s Nightly News. His focus is on the “fun” in fundraising.

His website provides a glimpse of who he has worked with and you can read many testimonials from satisfied customers. Please join us in making David A. Goodman feel at home in Ames when he joins us on April 19, 2008 at the Gateway Hotel & Conference Center for the 3rd annual St. Cecilia Gala!

http://www.auction-results.org

Gala 2008

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Gateway Hotel and Conference Center

We invite you to attend the Saint Cecilia Gala on April 19, 2008. Tickets for this event are $75 each, and in addition to a silent auction, a live auction and a wonderful steak dinner, we are pleased to announce that we are bringing to Ames the man described by NBC Nightly News as “amazing”—an auctioneer magician, who specializes in charity fundraisers for non-profit organizations! It promises to be a fun and memorable night—all serving to contribute toward the ambitious goal of raising more money for our Education Endowment Fund! The generosity of the families and friends of the Saint Cecilia Catholic Community has created the beginnings of a growing fund, and wonderful legacy, to ensure a bright future for the religious education programs and school.

To Buy Tickets or Donate Money to the 2008 Gala, please complete and return the RSVP card (Click Here) and return it to Dave & Jean Dirks prior to February 29, 2008. All donors who submit donations prior to February 29 will be gratefully recognized in the Saint Cecilia 2008 Gala program catalog. We are deeply grateful for your consideration as we continue this mission.

Send your completed RSVP card and a check to:

Dave & Jean Dirks, 320 Ash Avenue, Ames, IA 50014

We thank you and appreciate your direct involvement in helping us grow the Saint Cecilia Education Endowment Fund—any contribution will greatly assist the goal of keeping a quality, Catholic educational experience in Ames!