Helias High School supporters kicked off their annual fundraising campaign Wednesday with a breakfast for several dozen guests in the school's commons area.
The breakfast is the first of several events scheduled between now and the end of August, although fundraising tends to be a year-round practice for the Helias Foundation, president Dana Frese said.
The foundation hopes to raise $350,000 this year - the same goal as last year's, Frese noted.
In his remarks to the group, Frese said the foundation's sole purpose "is to provide funds to support the long-term financial stability of a Helias Catholic education for the youth of our community."
Frese noted the drive is the primary way the foundation increases its endowed funds. By keeping the endowment flush, Frese said, the Catholic community is able to keep tuition affordable.
He said the breakfast is a thank you to the school's administrators, teachers and students for their assistance - and a request.
"We are asking our supporters to reach out to their friends and neighbors to ask them to support the drive," Frese said.
Bishop John Gaydos called the annual fundraiser a rite of spring. He noted it's possible through the commitment shown by local Catholic churches.
"We cannot presume our faith is going to be soaked up by the coming generations, any more than we can presume that the coming generations appreciate the love of their parents for them," Gaydos said. "That is something they learn ... becoming more and more aware of just how much their parents love them and want to do things for them.
"That's what inspires them to actually start growing as human beings. It's exactly the same way with the faith."
Gaydos also told listeners "the reason (God) has called us into existence is for love. And that is the secret and the joy of Helias High School." He then congratulated attendees on their support for the fundraising drive.
Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, reminded listeners he attended Catholic school in the St. Louis region, where the teachers meted out tough love, but also kept him focused on his studies and his faith.
When talking to a non-Catholic friend, Kehoe said he realized how vividly he can recall every brother, teacher and priest he met as a young man. His friend could recollect very little about his own public school teachers, Kehoe said.
"We are in a culture where the environment and focus is different, Kehoe said.
Senior Nathan Raymer, 18, spent Wednesday morning greeting visitors to the school. Raymer said donations are critical to the school's operation.
"It's very important. Helias depends on the generosity of people willing to donate," he said. "Without the support, the tuition would be too much for our family."
The foundation announced Wednesday that Jeff Boessen and Ashton Wilbers-Frank were named chairpersons of the fund drive.
Boessen and his wife, Meredith, are 1991 graduates of Helias and members of St. Stanislaus parish. He is vice president of investments at Central Bank.
Ashton Wilbers-Frank is a 2005 graduate of Helias. Married to Tyler Frank, they are members of St. Stanislaus parish. Ashton is a registered dental hygienist with Riverbend Dentistry.
Tax deductible donations may be mailed to Helias Foundation, 1106 Swifts Hwy., Jefferson City or made online at www.heliasfoundation.org. Donations received before Aug. 31 will be counted toward the 2015 fund drive.
For more information, contact the foundation at [email protected] or 573-635-3808.