St. Peter’s Annual Gala FAQ
Thank you for your interest in the Annual St. Peter Catholic School Gala! Please see below for some commonly asked questions and their answers. Don't see what you're looking for? Do you still have questions? Please email Alicia Liebel-Berg at Alicia.Liebel@gmail.com for more information.
What is the Gala?
The St. Peter annual Gala is the largest fundraising and social event of the year. It is a great evening filled with fun, a banquet dinner, and the opportunity to socialize with members of the St. Peter School and Parish Community. Our Gala brings our extensive intergenerational community of parents, grandparents, alumni, teachers, staff members, and friends of the school together in support of Catholic Education. It is a momentous night. Each year, funds are raised with a live and silent auction, raffles, and Educational Mission Moment Drive that utilizes an aggregate fundraising Fund-A-Need format.
Why should you support and attend the Gala?
Your presence and generous contributions to the Gala play a vital role in sustaining our programs and allowing St. Peter to provide an exceptional faith-based education to our students. Funds raised at the Gala go directly to the school's operating expenses, tuition assistance, and facility improvements. By investing in our teachers, staff, and students St. Peter can enhance the quality of the education received by its students. If you are unable to attend, consider donating items to our silent auction or a monetary donation.
Who attends the Gala?
All are welcome! We especially encourage parents, relatives and family friends of current students to attend, as well as alumni and St. Peter parishioners. It is a great community-building event, and supports an incredible school!
What should I wear?
Most people take the chance to dress up in cocktail attire – dresses, button downs, and blazers. You will also see people dressed more casually - in jeans and a nice shirt. This is a great option too! Please wear what makes you most comfortable.
What time should I arrive?
The event begins at 5 pm with silent auction and wine tasting. Many people arrive right on time at 5 pm. There is plenty to do in that first hour – check out the Silent Auction, taste wine, enjoy appetizers, and participate in raffles! At the very latest, we recommend you arrive before 6:15 pm so you can be checked in before dinner begins.
Silent Auction
You need not be present to win. You will be sent information on how to log into your account to participate in online bidding. The Silent Auction opens on Monday, April 15, 2024 and will close at 6:30 pm on Saturday, April 20, 2024. If you've registered with your cell phone umber, you will receive an alert prior to the open and close of the auction. You can also set a maximum bet on any item and forget it!
What is the dessert dash?
When you arrive, you will see a beautifully decorated table filled with many amazing desserts. During dinner, attendees are invited to place cash/check in a shared envelope on the table (or write a cash amount with their bidder number on that envelope). The table that donates the most gets to pick their dessert first!
How are raffles purchased?
Raffles, and beverages at the bar must be purchased with cash or check – so please plan accordingly and bring cash! We will be having a booze bucket raffle for $5/ticket, a Wine Pull raffle for $20/ticket, and a 50/50 raffle for $50/ticket.
If I attend, do I have to buy something?
No! When you purchase your ticket, you are supporting our school, and we are so thankful for that in itself. If you would like to make an additional purchase or donation, there are items available from $10-$10,000 – there is something available for everyone!
What forms of payment are accepted?
Cash and checks are always welcome. If you wish to charge silent and live auction items or other donations we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Remember, raffles and bar items are CASH or CHECK ONLY. New this year - drink tickets for the bar can be purchased in advance when purchasing your event tickets.
What should I bring with me?
We recommend you bring cash, a credit card, an appetite, and dancing shoes!
Who will I be seated with?
When you purchase tickets, you may request to be seated by anyone you wish. If you don’t know anyone at the event – never fear! Our school administrator, Anna Heintz, painstakingly creates a seating chart and will seat you by attendees who you will enjoy getting to know!
What is the Fund-A-Need?
After the Live Auction, our principal, Dennis Rankin, will share some information about St. Peter school as well as briefly outline some projects that need to be funded. Attendees will then be given the opportunity to donate toward these needs using a live auction format where incremental donation amounts are announced. While we greatly appreciate your generous support of our school, there is of course no obligation to participate!
How much cash should I bring?
Raffles and bar items are cash/check only when purchased at the live event. There are three raffles, the booze bucket, wine pull and 50/50.
How do I get my winning silent auction items?
Attendees to our in person event can pick up winning items at the conclusion of the gala. If you won gala items but did not attend our event, you may pick up those items in the school or parish office starting Monday, April 22nd.
I want to support St Peter Catholic School with a donation at this year’s Gala. What is the best way to do this?
The best way to support our school is by donating to our Fund-A-Need. The money we raise for our fund-a-need is a statement about the value of these children. The money we raise is a statement about the importance of Catholic education. The money we raise is a statement about the St. Peter community rallying around our school’s mission to form critical thinkers, virtuous leaders, and living saints.
If you would like to donate to the fund in need, but don’t want to make the payment online, please contact our our gala coordinator Alicia Liebel-Berg at Alicia.Liebel@gmail.com.
