Open House & Update on Matching Campaign
Dear friends of Martin Saints Classical High School,
First a quick practical reminder: tonight - Thursday 2/1, 7pm - we will have an open house. Meet our teachers, learn about our curriculum, share our vision.
We also have some big news to share: we reached our fundraising goal!!! Over the last month and a half, 54 different donors have given or pledged $50,374 in new donations.
For Martin Saints, the success of this first major fundraising campaign is historic. As you may remember, nearly two months ago, an anonymous donor gave $50,000. This inspired a second donor to offer a challenge: all gifts up to $50,000 would be matched. In other words, our goal became $150,000: 50K from the first donor, 50K in new donations, and 50K from the matching donor.
Our community has rallied, and together, we have done it. Putting it all together, we are giving thanks for $150,374 since December 12th. Congratulations to all.
When our students returned from Christmas and it looked like success was close, we prayed a novena of thanksgiving to Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, our patrons and the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Thank you, Martin family saints, for your protection and blessings. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for gathering this school and its community of friends, students, parents and teachers in such a short time.
And thank you benefactors and donors. I have written to each one of you individually. If you have not received your letter, please let me know. You are parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, faculty, parishioners, board members. You are parents of young children who want us to be here when your children need a high school. You are single people, elderly people, consecrated religious, retired teachers, and clergy from other parishes. You are the Martin Saints family. Thank you.
Going forward, the truth is, we will have to fundraise again in a few months. In order to be affordable for all families, there is a gap between what we charge in tuition and what it really costs to educate each student, especially in these early years as we build towards full enrollment. Creating a culture of generous mutual support is part of our school's charism.
But for now, let's savor the moment. It's time for high fives, hugs, and a glass of what pleases you. And you are always welcome to contact me personally with questions or comments about Martin Saints Classical High School, either by email or at school, 267-495-4865 (ext. 202).
The glory of God is man fully alive. May the saints of the Martin family continue to intercede for us all.
Deacon Christopher C. Roberts, Ph.D.
President of the Board