Immaculate Conception raises funds semiformally

By Thomas Nelson, tnelson@charlescitypress.com

A black and white event usually means tuxedos and dresses, but the Immaculate Conception Educational Development Board fundraiser’s black and white, but not formal, gathering was a bit less restrictive in its dress policy.

Board members attended in tuxedo shirts at the Columbus Club Saturday evening to raise money for the school.

“We have a fundraiser once a year, and this is it,” said Angie Staudt, Immaculate Conception Development Board member. “Sometimes people don’t like to get all dressed up, but we wanted to give a fancy feel.”

The fundraiser helps provide Immaculate Conception School things that it wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford, Staudt said.

“We’ve gotten books for the library, we’ve gotten things like iPads and Macbooks,” Staudt said. “Once a year they’ll submit requests to us and we’ll go through and try to buy what we can.”

The event has a silent auction with a themed basket from the each of the classrooms at the school.

“We have a whole row of silent auction items,” Staudt said.

There were also live auction items that were sold that evening, and a raffle.

“Endless Summer’s playing a little bit later, and we’ve had Dave’s Restaurant catering,” Staudt said.

The event has raised up to $15,000 before in one evening.

“It goes into an endowment fund,” Staudt said. “So we will invest all of the money made and every year we’ll take the interest off of it and spend what we can.”

The black and white, but not formal, fundraiser is the start of Immaculate Conception’s observance of national Catholic School Week.

Contributions are accepted throughout the year through the school.