Page 27 - Priorities #50 2011-June/July

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IDear Friends of the Priory,
I know that the last couple of years have been difficult ones for many of our Priory families, alumni and friends. Yet when asked to contribute, whether it be time, talent or treasure,
the Priory community always responds in a way that assures the continuity of a wonderful Priory experience for our students.
As I write this I don’t have final numbers for the year, but I can tell you we exceeded
our annual fund raising goal by a considerable margin. More than 93 percent of families supported the annual fund. Dozens of volunteers from the Priory community performed amazingly, and this year’s Gala, combining the auction and fashion show for the first time, raised a near-record $600,000!
But now that we have finished another fabulous year, it’s already time to begin looking ahead and planning for the next one. In addition to the annual fund raising effort and the planning of numerous alumni activities (including the gathering of our first 50-year reunion class in September), we are working with numerous volunteer leaders to address the next generation of capital needs here at Priory. As we are still in the early stages of planning, I won’t address specifics at this time, but suffice it to say that we are very excited about what will be happening at the Priory in the next several years. And I know all of you will be as well.
Have I piqued your curiosity? I hope so. As plans move forward, we will definitely keep you informed of our progress because, as with all things Priory, we will not be able to do this without involving each and every member of the community.
I want to extend to each and every one of you my gratitude for your support of the Priory during the past year. After being a part of this Benedictine community for four years, I am still amazed at your overwhelming generosity.
In closing, I hope you all have a wonderful summer break. I look forward to seeing everyone in August as, “always we begin again.”
Sincerely,
John Baldwin
Director of Development
More than 93 percent of families supported the annual fund. Dozens of volunteers from the Priory community performed amazingly, and this year’s Gala, combining the auction and fashion show for the first time, raised a near- record $600,000!