The Helias Foundation's 40th Annual Fund Drive kicked off Wednesday with a breakfast meeting at the school and the announcement of a $350,000 fundraising goal.
Barb Sheehan and Jeff Boessen have been selected as the campaign's chairs.
Sheehan is a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph. She has four children who graduated from Helias Catholic High School.
Boessen is a 1991 graduate of Helias and member of St. Stanislaus parish. He is vice president of Investments at Central Bank.
Speakers at Wednesday's breakfast included: Stephen Jones, president of Helias Catholic High School; Dana Frese, Helias Foundation vice president; and Nate Jones, student council president.
"The relationship between the foundation and the school is symbiotic," Jones said. "Although we are two distinct entities, you cannot separate us because our goals are one and the same - to make Catholic secondary education available and affordable to all students, regardless of background, who desire it. I want Helias to be a place where any "person of goodwill' can succeed!
"Most of the school's students are Catholic," Jones said.
"However, we want to be a place that welcomes students from all backgrounds," he said. "Yes, the majority of our students go on to college. However, we recognize that college is not for everyone, and we want to provide the best high school education possible for students who will pursue other avenues in life."
Dana Frese is the foundation's vice president; both his children attend Catholic schools.
"Helias provides an outstanding Catholic education based in faith, knowledge and service to others," Frese said. "The sole purpose of the Helias Foundation is to provide funds to support the long-term financial stability of a Helias Catholic education for the youth of our community. The annual fund drive is an integral part of our mission to support Helias financially."
Frese said the foundation uses the endowed funds to make payments to Helias during the school year, which Helias uses to offset its general operating expenses. Reducing the cost of a Helias education is the net effect.
"The more funds generated from the annual drive results in an increased donation from the foundation to Helias," he said.
Student council president Nate Jones explained what the school means to him.
"As I go through the next stages of my life, I know that my Helias experience will be influencing me with every step, and I wouldn't have it any other way," he said.
Established in 1974, the foundation is overseen by an 18-member board of directors.
On Wednesday, the school's board of directors also announced Mike Bruns was appointed as the foundation's executive director.
Bruns graduated from Helias in 1982 and has worked with the foundation for six years. He was initially hired as the director of events and alumni relations and has recently served as the foundation's interim director.
People interested in contributing to the campaign are invited to do so. Tax deductible donations may be mailed to Helias Foundation, 1106 Swifts Highway, Jefferson City MO 65109 or made online at www.HeliasFoundation.org.
Donations received before Aug. 31 will be counted toward the 2014 Annual Fund Drive.
For additional information, contact the Helias Foundation at [email protected] or call 573-635-3808.