Page 38 - The Paduan Summer 2021

Advancement NEWS Hybrid Bruin Benefit Raised
a Record-Breaking $301,250!
The 29th Bruin Benefit Celebrazione was like no other! It raised a record-breaking $301,250 (net) on Saturday, April 24, 2021.
We honored Fr. Allan DaCorte, ofm who retired on June 30th after serving as Padua’s president
for eight years, as well as Vice Principal Br. Tom Carroll, ofm who is moving on to a new ministry
with the Franciscan Formation Program after 32 years at Padua. Both of these friars changed Padua Franciscan, as well as the lives of so many students. The video tributes to them were heartfelt, funny and sincere as students, faculty and alumni shared their reflections.
In celebration of their impact on Padua, the Forever Friar Scholarship was created to provide financial assistance to students, as well
as honor their legacy and that of the many Franciscan Friars who have graced the halls of Padua. The Forever Friar Scholarship was funded at $100,000 through the generous support of the Padua family that evening.
This year’s event was hybrid with guests streaming the program live from the comfort of their homes, as well as a limited number of special guests of Fr. Allan and Br. Tom celebrating in-person in the Padua Gymnasium.
Padua senior Daniel Obloj ‘21 shared his story and gratitude with the Padua community. When it looked as though a Padua education was not possible for Daniel after the passing of his father, hope, perseverance and Padua’s financial assistance offering made his dream a reality. The rest of his story is history; he graduated with honors in May and will attend Case Western Reserve University in the fall, where he will play on the football team and study aerospace and mechanical engineering. Daniel represents just one of many students who succeed through the generosity of our Padua benefactors.
President David Stec ‘86 entertained the guests with humor and passion as he led the live auction and Fund-A-Bruin segments of the evening. Virtual and in-person guests had fun bidding on several new and exciting offerings, including flying on a private jet to watch the Browns take on the Ravens in Baltimore, a walking tour of Little Italy and dinner along with David and Beth Stec, a signed Odell Beckham, Jr. jersey, Pappy Van Winkle bourbon whiskey and a blessed keepsake quilt made with Fr. Allan’s T-shirts.
The 50/50 raffle generated more than $11,000. The split was graciously donated back to Padua by the winner Lori Margevicius. The Hess family won the $3,000 tuition voucher raffle for next school year.
The many challenges COVID has brought us did not deter the Padua family! A special thanks to the benefit sponsors, the generous bidders and the committee who helped make this year’s Celebrazione a success in every way. You can watch the event on Padua’s YouTube channel @PaduaFranciscan.
Please mark your calendar for next year’s 30th Bruin Benefit – Saturday, April 30, 2022. We will come together for one big party in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Padua educating young men and women!
Bruins Big Give
Celebrating Padua's 60th
Anniversary
Save the Date: October 7, 2021
Padua Franciscan will hold its 24-hour day of giving on Thursday, October 7. This will be the fifth year of kicking off the Franciscan Fund with Bruins Big Give in support of our students' education. In celebration of Padua’s 60th anniversary, let’s come together for ONE DAY with ONE GOAL for ONE PADUA.
37
Coming
10.7.21
10.7.21
Join in support of our Padua students #BruinsBigGive