NOTRE DAME SETS RECORD WITH FUND DRIVE

Students, parents and staff at Notre Dame High School broke all records during last week's fund drive, raising $28,000.

Sister Mary Ann Fischer, principal at the school, said, "Never in the history of Activity Week at Notre Dame has so much money been raised in one week. The profit was $28,000. That far surpasses what we even imagined we could raise."

Last year's Activity Week generated $22,000, which was also a record-breaking total.

Activity Week is the major fund-raising event in the fall at Notre Dame. Students, staff and parents participate in a variety of different activities to raise money.

The event is designed as a competition between grades. The class raising the most money per pupil has a king and queen crowned at a Saturday night dance.

"It gets to be quite competitive," Fischer said.

To raise money, dinners were served four nights last week. Students sold candy, fruit and magazines. They conducted car washes and bake sales. Students also did service projects like washing windows and cleaning gutters for individuals, donating the money they earned to their class totals.

As an added incentive, the top salesperson for combined candy, fruit and magazine sales, won a dinner for two at Pasta House and a limousine ride to and from the dance.

The senior class captured top honors and crowned Angie Judd and Tom Jansen royalty of Activity Week. The seniors brought in $129.99 per student and a total of $7,929.

Second place was the sophomore class with $123.33 per student.

"The percentage of the student body that participates is very high," Fischer said. "In fact, almost every student participates."

Parents and staff members work alongside the students to raise money for the school.

The reason is simple: The money raised is already budgeted for the school year. Tuition rates, salaries and other budget items are depending on the success of Activity Week.

"We need the money to operate the school," Fischer said.

"We really appreciate the support of many, many people who have made this Activity Week so successful," Fischer said. "A week is not as successful as this one without the many people who bought items, worked during Activity Week, and made contributions."

The fund-raising week has more than a 30-year history at Notre Dame. Years ago, Fischer said, it was called Varsity Week and proceeds went to the athletic budget. It later became Activity Week with money going into the school's general budget.