Southern Nebraska Register
and Lourdes Central Catholic
Nearly 300 people attended the “ICE Gala” (Invest in Catholic Education) to benefit Lourdes Central in Nebraska City Saturday, March 25 at Lourdes.
Now in its 29th year, the event hosted by the school serves as a way to celebrate the school’s traditions, students and teachers, while also raising funds that help ensure a Catholic education is accessible to families in Nebraska City and surrounding areas. This year’s event raised more than $169,000 in support of Catholic education.
“Lourdes Central Catholic is a gem in the Nebraska City community,” said Kay DeFreece, Lourdes event committee member and volunteer. She and her husband, Dr. Dan DeFreece have been long-time supporters of the school and have three children who graduated from Lourdes.
“We are incredibly blessed to have Lourdes Central Catholic and the tradition of a Catholic education in our community. We continue to support the Lourdes event so that we can ensure a quality and affordable Catholic education is possible for every family in our community.”
The evening included hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and a dinner. Activities included games and a raffle drawing. Caitlin Falcone, a middle school and high school science teacher at Lourdes, won the raffle drawing for a $3,000 shopping spree. Her son Gus, a first-grader, sold the winning ticket and received a $200 gift card. Brooke Chaney won the “diamond dig,” receiving a diamond necklace.
The live auction included 20 experiences, such as a hot air balloon ride and gourmet dinner, dinner with Bishop James Conley, a trip to Mexico, and a helicopter ride to view the fall foliage of Nebraska City. The live auction raised more than $50,000.
A virtual silent auction site was launched five days prior to the event, which allowed people to register and bid on auction items without attending. Nearly 200 items were donated for the silent auction.
The Fund-a-Need portion of the auction supported four programs at Lourdes: KnightsCare, journalism, fine arts and weight training. More than $5,600 was raised for these programs, and the funds will be used to purchase equipment such as digital cameras, microphones and a communication system, performance flags and poles, weights, dumbbells and children’s activities and toys.
“Lourdes is possible only because of the generosity of so many people,” said Fr. Jonathan Haschke, chief administrative officer at Lourdes. “I am grateful for the dedication and commitment of all who support our school and helped to make this a great evening.”
Photos courtesy Lourdes Central
