SEATTLE – After the February 8 winter storm caused the Fulcrum Foundation to cancel its annual Celebration of Light fundraising gala for Catholic schools, supporters responded by donating more than $235,000 online in less than 48 hours.
“The outpouring of our community has been phenomenal,” said Julie Coleman, Fulcrum’s interim executive director.
Fulcrum’s 2018 Community Report
The Celebration of Light is Fulcrum’s primary fundraising event, so this year’s cancellation is “a bit of a financial blow,” Coleman said. But it’s not insurmountable with the help of people around the archdiocese who believe in the importance of Catholic education, she said.
Coleman said some of those donating online have left comments that are “incredibly affirming and supportive” of Catholic education and Fulcrum’s mission to support and strengthen Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle.
This week, Coleman, Fulcrum Board Chairman Tony Audino and the Fulcrum staff are working closely with Kristin Dixon, superintendent of Catholic Schools, to get the word out to principals and then to Catholic school families about the need for donations.
The gala has never been canceled before, Coleman said. “As sick as we were to cancel, we felt it would be irresponsible to invite people out in the elements,” she said.
A highlight of the annual event is honoring the recipients of the Archbishop’s Award, given to “individuals who have demonstrated a strong and extraordinary commitment to Catholic education,” Coleman said.
Mike and Mary Lee, parishioners of St. James Cathedral Parish, were to be this year’s recipients; they will be honored again next year, according to Coleman.
“Mike and Mary are shining examples of advocating for Catholic education,” she said, noting that the Lees and their four daughters have a total of 90 years of Catholic education among them. The Lees have been with Fulcrum since its beginning and co-chaired Fulcrum’s first fundraising campaign, Coleman added.
How to donate The Fulcrum Foundation is asking for help from the entire community to make up the funds it would have raised during its annual Celebration of Light, canceled this year because of the snow storm. Donations can be made online or donors can request that a statement be mailed; for more information, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. document.getElementById('cloakd341fba05196dd57e4827548ff2c752e').innerHTML = ''; var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addyd341fba05196dd57e4827548ff2c752e = 'info' + '@'; addyd341fba05196dd57e4827548ff2c752e = addyd341fba05196dd57e4827548ff2c752e + 'fulcrumfoundation' + '.' + 'org'; var addy_textd341fba05196dd57e4827548ff2c752e = 'email';document.getElementById('cloakd341fba05196dd57e4827548ff2c752e').innerHTML += ''+addy_textd341fba05196dd57e4827548ff2c752e+''; or call the Fulcrum Foundation at 206-219-5826. Donations can also be made in installments.