St. Isidore School to hold annual gala on Saturday

“An Evening of Pure Imagination” is the theme and call to action for St. Isidore Catholic School’s major fundraising event of the year.

The benefit for the Bloomingdale school is from 5:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 23, at Abbington Banquets, 3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn.

The event annually raises more than $65,000 in support of the St. Isidore School Improvement Fund and again features a grand raffle with a first prize of $15,000.

Other cash prizes are $1,500, $1,000 and $500. Raffle tickets are $100 each and only 750 tickets will be sold.

“The grand raffle is the highlight of the evening,” said Debbie Isoda, who along with her husband, Randy, serves as co-chairman of the fundraiser. “As the raffle draws near you can feel the anticipation and excitement building in the room. It is tremendous fun.

“It’s so important for our school and its programs, the costs for which are far from covered by tuition,” Isoda added. “In turn, the more money we can raise helps keep down the cost of tuition. We urge as much participation as possible. And you don’t need to be present at the event to win.”

Raffle tickets are available online at www.stisidoreparish.org or by calling the school office at (630) 529-9323.

In addition to the grand raffle, “An Evening of Pure Imagination” offers a four-course gourmet dinner, unlimited bar and grand dessert bar, as well as both a live and silent auction. A DJ will provide the music for dancing and a photo booth will be available as well.

Auction items include gift certificates to local merchants, pro sporting event tickets and luxurious vacations. More than 300 items donated by individuals and corporations are up for bid in the live and silent auctions.

Cost of a ticket to the gala is $80, which is tax-deductible.

“We at St. Isidore, as do all Catholic schools, face ongoing challenges to ensure our current and future students achieve the academic growth we expect as well as the Christian values we cherish,” St. Isidore Principal Cyndi Collins said.

“This can only be accomplished through the continued support of the amazing parents and generous supporters of St. Isidore.”

Located at 431 W. Army Trail Road in Bloomingdale, St. Isidore School is part of the Joliet Diocese and has been in existence since 1920. It has 302 students in preschool through eighth grade and a staff of 30 teachers, aides and administrators, with more than 70 percent holding masters degrees or above.