AmyBSells Giving Back

2008 Campaign: St. Cecilia School - Oakley

Supplying 200 Student With Supplies

FAQ:

• Q: Is this a religious charity?
• Q: Don't they charge tuition? Why does a private school need help?
• Q: Why is this school important? Why should I care?
• Q: How will my money be used?
• Q: Where and how so I donate?

A: No. Only 60 percent of St. Cecilia's student body is Catholic, and the school serves a diverse population - 28 percent African Americans, 62 percent Caucasian and 10 percent other ethnicities - that would otherwise be bereft of quality education. The school also offers programs for students with disabilities, something for which many Catholic schools are not equipped. No money raised goes to or through the Catholic Church, but goes directly to buying school supplies for students.

A: The tuition to attend St. Cecilia is $4,375 for non-parishioners and $2,280 for parishioners, but this generates less than one-fourth of the school's income. The majority of St. Cecilia's funding comes from parishioners' Sunday contributions, with some federal grants to ease the burden. As well, St. Cecilia is not classified as an inner-city school, so it doesn't receive funding from the Catholic-Inner-City Schools Education Fund or from other sources that help troubled school districts. Because the majority of St. Cecilia students are from low-income families, community fundraisers that would normally help to cushion the school's fiscal crunch are out of the question. So the school doesn't receive vital support from the community upon which many private schools depend. Unfortunately, St. Cecilia falls in a funding gap between inner-city relief funds and affluent neighborhood support. St. Cecilia needs your support to continue providing students with personal, compassionate education.

A: Investing in education pays off for the local economy and the community, and local property values are directly tied to the health of the community. While housing woes and economic fears dominate the financial landscape, the outlook of St. Cecilia's surrounding communities is hardly bleak. In Hyde Park, the five-year return on a home is 42 percent, and in Oakley and Mt. Lookout the return is 38 percent and 34 percent, respectively. With that kind of return on investment, there's no reason we can't give back to ensure the future of our neighborhoods and our children. Failing schools weaken a community. AmyBSells Giving Back let's you participate directly in keeping your community flourishing.

A: Every cent that is donated to AmyBSells Giving Back goes directly to buying supplies for students. Founder Amy Broghamer will take the money directly to buy supplies and distribute them by the first day of classes for the 2008-2009 school year. No money goes to the Catholic Church, third parties or middlemen. You donation is as direct as giving gets.

A: Anyone interested in donating to AmyBSells Giving Back's St. Cecilia Supply Drive can contact Amy Broghamer directly at (513)377-3637 or amy@amybsells.com. Visit http://www.amybsells.com/GivingBack for more information. Donations will be accepted through August 18, 2008 for the St. Cecilia Supply Drive.