Legacy Gala 2010
Legacy Gala 2010 “Partners in Mission” – Exceeding Expectations!
This year’s Legacy Gala witnessed its largest crowd ever with approximately 400 guests in attendance. The Gala, which is the premier fundraising event for Cathedral Prep and Villa Maria Academy, was held on April 24, 2010 at Cathedral Prep. The theme of this year’s event was “Partners in Mission”, appropriate as the schools enjoy their first year partnering in education. Legacy Gala 2010 raised over $250,000, exceeding all fundraising expectations!
A distinguished alumnus from each school was honored at the Legacy Gala. Prep graduate Honorable Ernest J. DiSantis, Jr. ’66 and Villa graduate Mrs. Tina Cicchetti Donikowski ’77 were inducted into the President’s Hall of Fame as a celebration of their personal accomplishments and their dedication to the mission of Cathedral Prep and Villa Maria Academy.
Legacy Gala 2010 was a first-class affair. Cathedral Prep students were dressed to the nines in tuxedos and treated the guests to valet parking. Villa students in cocktail dresses acted as greeters, worked the coat check, and assisted guests in several other ways. The students enjoyed interacting with the event attendees who believe in the mission of Prep and Villa.
Guests entered the Gala on the red carpet from 10th Street and walked into the newly renovated H. David Bowes auditorium, where the live auction items were on display in front of the stage. They proceeded through the halls to peruse the classrooms chocked full of silent auction items…over 300 items and packages were available to tempt bidders. Beyond the classrooms, guests found a completely transformed gymnasium…sparkling votives complemented the vases of cut irises and lilies to give the room an elegant feel. Allburn Florist and Chris Ehrman ’81 let nothing go undecorated. Even the basketball hoops were covered in beautiful lit floral arrangements!
The Cathedral Prep Jazz Band, under the direction of Mr. Jacob Malec, entertained guests while they dined. The gourmet cuisine, provided by Sabella’s Catering and Bill ‘74 and Janet Miller, was exquisite. There were several food stations around the perimeter of the gym to choose from that included Asian seafood, pasta dishes, steak au poivre, a mashed potato bar and much more. In addition to the mouth watering food, Sabella’s presentation was amazing. The food stations featured lighted glass and layered mirrors, adding to the “club-like” atmosphere in the gymnasium.
There was something for everyone at the auction. In addition to the three hundred silent auction items, 22 spectacular live auction items were offered. Guests had the opportunity to bid on luxurious items including a brand new Harley Davidson Sportster, “ Lasik Eye Surgery in Sunny Naples, Florida”, tickets to major league sporting events, a limousine wine tour for 20, and a Vitus Kaiser ’48 original watercolor, just to name a few.
There was also a jewelry raffle featuring a 14K white gold and diamond everlasting necklace, which was graciously donated by Dahlkemper Jewelry Connection. Tickets were $20.00 and all buyers received a token for a complimentary glass of champagne.
The proceeds from Legacy Gala are used to keep Prep and Villa’s tuition within the reach of Erie area families. The evening brought many Prep and Villa supporters together to celebrate and to continue to support the mission of the two schools, all while having fun, raising funds and enjoying each other’s company. Many thanks to the countless people who made Legacy Gala 2010 such a tremendous success. Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 9, 2011…next year’s Legacy Gala!