Friends of OLPH BC-Pledge Campaign

Dear Parishoners, Alumni, and School Families, It was announced unknowingly to all, a few weeks ago, that our precious school would be closing its doors at the end of this school year, after 60 years. This news was shocking to all. A core group of school families, parishoners and alumni immediately joined efforts and formed a group called Friends of OLPH BC in order to develop and implement a strategic and viable plan to keep the doors of OLPH open, alive and thriving for many years to come. After having several meetings with Father Kyle, Ms. Accomando(school principal), representatives from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Dr. RaeNell Houston (superintendent of catholic education), Father Patrick Carr (vicar of finances with the archdiocese), and the church finance committee we have been given the green light to reopen school registration and implement our proposed pledge campaign. The pledge campaign is seeking as many pledge commitments that we can secure by April 15th, but there is no deadline to submit a pledge. Our goal with the pledge campaign is to raise at least $500,000 a year for the next five years in order to: 1. Offset enrollment for the next school year, giving us time to design and implement a strategic marketing plan to grow future enrollment, restructure, make necessary adjustments and put forth a balanced budget to work from 2. Replenish our surplus for future rainy day needs 3. Create sustainability to keep OLPH open and operating indefinitely 4. Provide future capital improvements to the school We have so much dedication and faith in our efforts and have already received tremendous support so that we can keep the doors open to the only Catholic/Christian education option inside the boundaries of our parish. The catholic/christian education that OLPH offers is so unique. We are truly a family-oriented setting and have the ability to offer a more one on one atmosphere and experience. Not only do our students receive a quality academic education, they learn in an environment where the presence of Jesus is the center of focus. We must not stand by and allow our doors to be closed. We must make every effort and exhaust all possibilities in order to keep this most important ministry viable, the ministry of our youth, providing the word of God in their everyday life to insure their growth in faith and spirituality and to insure we continue to mold the future leaders of our parish and our world. We are a world that needs Jesus now more than ever. We cannot afford to continue to allow our Catholicism and Christianity to slowly be chipped away. Our youth and our world relies on our fight. Please see attached pledge form as it explains how donations can be made as well as designating the amount to be donated. We are also welcoming of flat donations and company matches. We can be contacted at [email protected]. We ask that you prayerfully consider how you can help and what contribution amount you feel called by God to pledge. We thank everyone in advance for your donation and consideration. God bless. Sincerely, Friends of OLPH BC