Mission Magazine Spring 2008 - Garces Memorial High School

Development NewsDevelopment CommitteeUnder the leadership of school board member, Marcie (Antongiovanni)Soper ‘85, Garces Memorial has established a committee to review,re-evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the school’s fund raising efforts.The primary role of the committee is to develop a comprehensivedevelopment plan to utilize for enhancing our current development strategies,and designing a plan for future funding. The Development Department of GarcesMemorial generates nearly $800,000 per year in order to keep tuition affordable forfamilies in Kern County. Currently 40% of the tuition underwriting is raised throughthe Annual Fund Drive. With the assistance and dedication of “Ram Family and Friend”volunteers, the remaining funds are generated through three special events, the Fall BBQ,Gala and the Monsignor Leddy Golf Classic.Marcie (Antongiovanni) Soper ‘85Development Committee membersMarcie (Antongiovanni) Soper ’85, ChairwomanStaff RepresentativesRobert Anspach ‘54 John L. Fanucchi, ‘68Kim (Westhoff) Carlson ‘85Tonya Abbott, Director of DevelopmentDeborah (Cerri) Leary ‘67Lou Ann Durrett, Director of MarketingTom Ming ‘88John SzewczykFund the FutureOur goal is to reduce the fund raising emphasis of special events and place a greater emphasis onproviding the Garces Memorial community an opportunity for friendship and fellowship. We want toencourage people to visit the campus and see first hand the improvements at the school. This will allowGarces supporters to see how their financial support makes a difference in the quality of the educationGarces Memorial students receive and strengthen their sense of pride and ownership.To accomplish these goals, fund raising efforts willconcentrate on the Annual Fund Drive. Planning isunderway for a more expansive fund raising approach.With Garces Memorial celebrating its 60th year, theinfrastructure is showing its age and capital improvementsare becoming necessary. Marcie Soper states, “we feel itis time to launch into a more comprehensive advancementapproach, to include funding for new facilities and theimprovement of existing structures. Our students deservea learning environment where they can excel spiritually,academically, and socially. This can only be accomplishedthrough a community-wide effort.” We look forward to therealization of these goals and dreams for the future.Page 34