Driscoll supporters creating commemorative exhibit

They weren't able to save financially troubled Driscoll Catholic High School from closing last spring, but alumni and supporters may yet win a different prize.

Members of the Save Driscoll Foundation will sponsor a fundraiser Thursday, Oct. 15, with an eye toward creating the Driscoll Legacy Corridor, a permanent exhibit in Addison village hall dedicated to the school's history.

Driscoll Legacy Benefit Night will be at Venuti's restaurant in Addison and is expected to attract up to 400 supporters. Attendees can bid on roughly 600 historic Driscoll items - with some prices starting at $10 - that cannot fit into the village hall display.

"The idea was to develop a permanent place to house whatever Driscoll treasures might remain," event organizer Peg Senese said. "The football trophies immediately came to mind, but so many other important things should be preserved."

Proceeds will be donated completely to the construction of the legacy corridor, which Senese said will include displays of about 200 items such as banners, uniforms, class photos and chapel candles.

The project should cost about $50,000, she said. The foundation has about half that in its coffers.

Save Driscoll members are aiming to open the legacy corridor by November and are also hoping for donations of services such as painting and electrical work.

"We're not just moving the trophies and cases; this is something designers and engineers are working on and something people can take their grandchildren to and be proud of," said Joan Sinnott, who also is organizing the fundraiser.

As the Driscoll artifacts make their way to new homes, the fate of the actual building at 555 N. Lombard Road, Addison, remains uncertain.

Bishop J. Peter Sartain said through a spokeswoman that the Joliet Diocese has not made a decision on the facility's future and there is no timetable to make one.