A gift to the Kennedy Catholic Annual Eagle Campaign is an easy way to help our students. As in all Catholic and independent schools, fundraising bridges the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating your child. As a small independent school, we have many needs that are not covered by tuition, but that are necessary for the stellar education you expect.

Our commitment to enrich each child’s spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and social development has never wavered through the pandemic. But its’ challenges have taken a financial toll. Each year we hold fundraising events like the Play for the K, our Gala and our annual appeal request (Kennedy Catholic Annual Campaign) to benefit general operating and scholarship funds. Because of COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, we were unable to hold these events.

Without these events, this fund is your opportunity to get involved and make a difference. This year, all donations will go toward the initiatives of tuition assistance and COVID-19 mitigation.

How can you express appreciation and gratitude for a teacher who has educated and inspired so many? A group of alumni from classes as generationally diverse as the sixties, the early 2000s and 1990s understood that teacher salaries at Kennedy Catholic prove to be a huge challenge for our dedicated educators. Led by parents and alumni and current President Melissa (D’Amore) and Matt Joseph, the group has raised $10,000 with a goal of $25,000, to earn a matching grant of $25,000. This will seed an endowment to award our teachers what they have earned.

Facts

• The average Kennedy Catholic teacher earns 45% less than their public school counterparts.
• The Dioceses of Erie has had to greatly reduce financial support, and teachers are feeling the impact.
• Continuing education for teachers helps to create a positive work environment.

While our initial goal is $25,000, we want to raise more. Of course the larger the initial investment in the endowment, the more generously we can draw down to award our teachers. This effort will be an ongoing, open giving opportunity. Thank you in advance. To donate online, scroll to the online giving form below.

UPDATE:

Anyone who has walked the halls of Kennedy knows that Sister Margaret has given our school unlimited grace, wisdom, love and structure for more than 60 years. A contribution to her endowment supports the tuition assistance program which opens our doors to all, just as Sister has always envisioned.

When I was first approached on this subject, my response was a firm NO! However, after thinking about it, I’ve realized this: since coming to Kennedy, my heart has been with the students and their families, because, you see, we are family! We are small enough to know almost everyone and to accept all those around us as if we are related. Since I firmly believe this, I will do anything in my power to help anyone who wants to come to Kennedy for his or her education. So I say THANK YOU for this privilege of asking for monies to help defray the cost of educating the youth of this valley and the surrounding communities. May God’s choicest blessings be yours and peace reign in your lives.

 

Much love and many prayers,
Sister Margaret Pellerite, SSJ (Sr. Anthony Marie)

Fellow KCHS Alumni – For any of us who were fortunate enough to attend Kennedy Christian High School when Mrs. Virginia Kocis was the school secretary, it is easy to remember how much she truly loved all of us. She likely helped you navigate your way during your freshman year. She probably comforted you as you waited for your mom to come pick you up from school on a day when you weren’t feeling so well. Even if you forgot all about her once you graduated, she never forgot any of us. She might have sent you clippings from the Sharon Herald about your graduation from college, the birth of your child, or the death of your parent. She was humble and kind, thoughtful and caring.

Recently, Mrs. Kocis passed away. At her funeral mass, attendees were reminded of how much she loved Kennedy and its students as she lived out the Beatitudes. So to honor her, we would like to request donations be made, in her memory, to Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools. The monies raised will be used to help bridge the tuition gap for families in need and to purchase a plaque that will be placed outside the main office of the school and will include the Beatitudes. Since the Beatitudes are part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where we are reminded of how all Christians are blessed through our faith, we thought it only fitting.

We thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness as you consider donating to this memorial.