Immaculate Conception school fund raiser better than expected

The fund-raising gala hosted by Immaculate Conception parish raised twice as much as organizers had expected.

Organizers had hoped to net $25,000 for the parish, which intends to use the money to offset costs of new construction. In all, the event raised $60,000.

The Jackson parish was hit by a tornado in May and had to demolish its oldest school building. A new addition is planned, but the cost is more than $1 million. The parish has planned several events and fund-raising dinners to pay for the project but the gala was the first of its kind.

"It was a huge success," said Carrie Walker, a member of the gala committee for the parish. "People were dancing until the band stopped playing."

Donated items like flowers and plants sold at cost helped offset the event's costs, but nothing surprised organizers more than the donation of food and wait staff for the meal.

Three area chefs donated their time to prepare the meal but two of the restaurants -- Celebrations and Saffron -- also donated all the food served.

Sorority members and university students helped serve the meals and offered valet parking for guests.

The event ended at midnight, but people stayed until 2 a.m., Walker said. "The community was just amazing" in its support and donations.