A gift can either be given or received. Depending on what it is, the feeling from giving can be as rewarding as one feels when receiving a gift. Sacred Heart School is a gift to many people. It’s been a gift to my family for four generations. Our alumni and our current students have all received the gift of a Catholic education. Our families have received the gift of knowing their children are loved by their teachers and that God is part of their education each and every day. It provides a safe place for our students and has a strong family atmosphere.
While our school is a gift to our families and this community, our school would not exist if not for the countless gifts it receives in prayers, volunteerism, and in monetary donations. It is unbelievable to witness the giving that comes from so many people to keep our school going. As the CAO, I know firsthand how important these gifts are to our school. Any gift, no matter how big or small, is what keeps our school affordable for the families who choose Falls City Sacred Heart.
Recently we purchased some student desks that were needed in several classrooms. This was funded by money left to our school by Dr. Robert Burghart whose children attended Sacred Heart. He also left a percentage of an IRA directly to our school. We received another blessing recently when the family of Dr. Joe Aitken (Class of 1962) honored Joe’s request that his memorial money be designated to Sacred Heart School. His son Matt in a letter written to school said, “Dad always had a special place in his heart for Falls City Sacred Heart. As an Irish Alum, he enjoyed following all the athletics through the years and looked forward to receiving the school’s newsletter in the mail. Uncle Bob (Class of 1977) kept him up-to-date on things that were going on at the school and throughout the community. I cannot think of a better way to memorialize Dad than to give this donation to your school.” This gift will help Sacred Heart School. Recently I received a $30,000 gift to our Annual Fund. This person believes in our school and knows we are in need of gifts to keep our operation going. This generosity is so much appreciated.
If you have not heard of the gift from the late Gary Hunker, please read the article in this newsletter. Gary’s love and generosity has doubled the Sacred Heart School Endowment. His gift will help fund our school in perpetuity. His gift will last forever. The Sacred Heart Endowment was started over 30 years ago. In general, our endowment is from donations of money or property which uses the resulting investment income to help fund our school. All monies donated make up the principal. Our endowment keeps the principal amount intact. We put the principal in funds (stocks, bonds, etc.) to gain interest. The interest generated is what comes over to the school. We only use the interest and do not touch the principal. Currently, our endowment board sends over $18,000 per month for our school operation to pay our bills for salaries, utilities, upkeep, supplies, etc. That is approximately what our endowment is generating monthly. Roughly 10% of our budget comes from the Sacred Heart Endowment.
The Annual Fund is another way of giving to our school. This year we have budgeted $175,000 for our Annual Fund. This fund is the difference maker each year to meet our expenses. The Annual Fund makes up approximately 9% of our budget.
Please consider a gift to benefit our school. If you give to the Endowment, you are contributing in more of a long term way. Your money will generate interest that will help fund our school. If you would rather contribute to the school in a way that we can use the money directly, then a gift to the Annual Fund can do this. You can make a monthly EFT, you can make a one-time gift, or give when it best fits your budget. Monetary gifts can be small or large.* They all will benefit our school. If you are doing estate planning, perhaps consider a percentage of a stock, bond, or IRA. Or you might want to add an additional child to your will and that “child” is Sacred Heart School. Reach out to our Advancement Director, Renee Kopf, or myself if you have questions.
Thank you to all who support Sacred Heart School. Thank you for your donations, volunteerism, and prayers.
*The Poor Widow’s Contribution. Mark 12: 41-44
He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
Sacred Heart School – a family educating heart, mind, body and spirit for this life and the next.
