The Autumn Ball, or as it's being called this year, the "Emerald Ball," is an enchanting, fun-filled adult evening, complete with cocktails, dinner, a live auction, a silent auction, a Grand Raffle, and after dinner dancing. This year, Emerald Ball is being held on Saturday, November 7th, at Esplanade Lakes in Downers Grove. Evening cocktail attire is appropriate.
The Autumn Ball is a yearly event that brings the parents, staff and friends of St. Raphael Catholic School together for a great evening of fun to raise money for our school. Autumn Ball is one of the best ways for existing and new families to get to know one another. It has been a long standing tradition of our school, and one that everyone should take pride in attending.
All proceeds from Autumn Ball support our annual operating budget. These critical funds are used to bridge the gap between the tuition we pay and the actual cost of educating each student. In addition, a portion of the funds raised are invested in our endowment fund. In 2010, the Joliet Diocese's rules for school funding will target revenues to be:
The proceeds from the Grand Raffle are the largest single monetary contribution to Autumn Ball. Each St. Raphael School family, regardless of whether or not they will be attending Emerald Ball, is asked to purchase or sell two Grand Raffle Tickets.
Tickets are $100 each. They can be "split" among more than one person or family. For example, two people can each purchase a $50 "share," or five people can each purchase a $20 "share." Tickets are typically sold at all school functions in the weeks prior to Autumn Ball.
The Grand Prize is $10,000, 1st prize $2,500, 2nd prize $1,000, and 3rd prize $500. Only 500 tickets are sold. Traditionally, for families purchasing at least two Raffle tickets, there is also the chance to win a $1,000 tuition credit. This year, for families purchasing three or more tickets a special incentive will be offered.
At Autumn Ball, we host a traditional Silent Auction and a Live Auction. This year, we're also adding an on-line auction that will be open to school families and the general public prior to Autumn Ball. A preview of auction items will be posted on www.emeraldball.org.
Generous businesses, parents, friends, and faculty of St. Raphael Catholic School donate all of the items for our Auctions. While our Auction Committee's efforts focus on tapping into outside sources of income beyond the pocketbooks of our parents, traditionally, each of our school families donates at least one auction item.
No, there are items for everyone's budget. The Auction has items starting as low as $20 (Silent and On-line Auctions) and go up to several thousands of dollars (Live Auction).
Absolutely, everyone in the St. Raphael Catholic School community should attend. It is a fun evening with friends whether you spend a lot of money or not. This is one of the best opportunities to build our school community and show your support for our students.
The Autumn Ball is organized each year entirely by parent volunteers.
Visit www.emeraldball.org and print and complete the "Pricing and Packages Form." Discounted Early Bird Pricing is available through Back to School Night (August 27th). Table seating requests will be solicited in October.
Absolutely not! Simply indicate on your table assignment request the grades(s) of your child(ren) and we'll seat you with other parents from the same grade. Voila, new friends!
Use your gifts! Share your time, talent and treasure to help ensure the success of Autumn Ball:
| David and Maureen Kopp | John and Karen Barry |
| 312-613-3770 | 630-362-3874 |
| kopp1227@aol.com | jkbarry@wideopenwest.com |