Looking for a Good Deal?

I have heard several people talk about the Lafayette Catholic Schools Garage Sale, but I had never been until last week. A group of ladies who volunteer their time and talent every week stopped by my office encouraging me to make a visit. Personally, I have never been a big garage sale person, because I always felt I did not need any additional impulse buying effecting my personal finances. I do a fine job when I go to the grocery store. Last week I finally gave in and made the visit. It took a minute to find the non-descript location along Earl Avenue, but I was pleasantly surprised.

The Lafayette Catholic Schools Garage Sale is so much more than a 'Garage Sale'. In fact, I think it should be renamed the Lafayette Catholic School Mission Store. The selfless dedication of the volunteers in the store is a true example of faith in action. One customer had arrived by City Bus and was purchasing warmer clothes for the winter season that is now upon us. She did not have enough money to pay for all the items. Volunteer Wendy Gavin, working the cash register, knew the lady by name. She was a regular customer, Wendy later explained. Wendy worked out arrangements for the lady to leave with the clothes she needed. The volunteers told stories of other customers who visited the store and had no money to purchase items. They were never turned away and always left with the items they needed. Miriam Walters, a volunteer for many years who recently passed away, showed her passion to serve others in a special way. To make room for more space in the store, twice a year Miriam drove a van load of items to the mountains in Tennessee to donate to the needy.

NEED SCHOOL UNIFORMS!

GIVING BACK

The garage sale is all about giving back. The Catholic Schools Garage Sale donates 100% of their proceeds to the Lafayette Area Catholic Schools Foundation (LACS) to go toward an endowment that supports the general operating budget of the Lafayette Catholic Schools. Monies in this endowment ensure we have a sustainable financial model for the entire school system. Last year the garage sale contributed over $16,000 to the fund in addition to helping hundreds of individuals and families in the greater Lafayette Community. This year the LACS fund contributed over $100,000 to the general operating budget of the school system.

Main Store Aisle

MY CHALLENGE

I have a small challenge for you. If you drop items off at Goodwill or the Salvation Army, please consider the Lafayette Catholic School Garage Sale first. If your kids need new school clothes because they are growing like weeds or wore out the knees sliding on the playground, save yourself the money and make a visit to the Garage Sale. If you have stacks of uniform clothes you are trying to hide on the top closet shelf like me, throw them in a bag and stop by. I guarantee the conversation will be lively and you will leave with a smile on your face. 

Small Child and Baby Section

Christmas Decorations

THANKFUL

We are truly blessed by all of our volunteers who give so generously of their time, talent and treasure. The selfless dedication of the Garage Sale ladies is a true example of servant leaders who are committed to living their faith and giving back. I would like to thank all of them for their dedication and efforts to the Lafayette Catholic School System. I would like to pay special tribute to Lorraine Hitze who passed away this year and spent endless hours making the garage sale what it is today. There are so many ways people contribute to our schools. I do not know if you could ever realize all of the contributions that do not hit the bottom line on the budget, have an impact on the future of our students, help a community member or impact the growth of our schools. The Lafayette Catholic School System is an amazing place with a lot of amazing people making it happen.

Lafayette Catholic Schools Garage Sale 626 N. Earl Avenue, Lafayette, IN

Have a blessed day!

Left: Wendy Gavin, Nancy Fitzgerald, Lorraine Hitze, Linda
Tracy, Phyllis Hausladen and Maxine Wright.

Wendy Helping a Customer

Sincerely,

Matt C. Buche
Director of Development
Lafayette Catholic School System
(765) 474-7500 o
(765) 414-4261 c
mbuche@lcss.org

Fine Arts Gets Much Needed Facelift

Updated Choir Room

I would like to personally thank Mr. Robert Rohrman, William and Bev Gettings, and Eugene and Roseanna Hatke, for their kind gifts to help renovate the band and choir rooms. It was week 2 on the job and it became apparently clear our fine arts area needed a facelift and several acoustical adjustments. The carpet still looked the same since I was here over 20 years ago driving the choir teacher crazy. The walls may have been painted once since my class graduated and the sound in the room was bouncing off the cinder block walls. Unfortunately, there was no budget to make the updates happen. Like all great institutions, we turned to you, our stakeholders and they stepped up to make this happen. Below are some before and after pictures from this $41K project. Teacher Gayle Daning and the students love the new carpet, acoustical ceiling, lighting and especially the new electric piano in the choir room. 

Before Band Room

Before Band Room

Updated Band Room

Updated Band Room

Before Choir Room

Before Choir Room

Updated Choir Room

Updated Choir Room

Project updates:

• New carpet
• Paint
• New electronic piano
• New acoustical ceiling with special sound densing tiles
• New lighting
• New 70" LED Televisions with Apple TV
• New dry erase boards

We are not finished in this area either and will be working with the department to raise more money. We have identified a significant need for new band instruments. An outside consultant has been brought in to look at existing equipment and future needs. Based upon this analysis we have broken the project into three categories: High Priority (need now); High Need (will need next year) and Wish List. 

Here is the financial breakdown for each category. 

HIGH PRIORITY: $32,398

HIGH NEED: $24,951

WISH LIST: $37,347

TOTAL: 94,696

As we continue to strive for greatness and develop social balances into children's lives, the success of our fine arts program is an important piece. Thank you to everyone who made this happen.

Best regards,
Matt C. Buche
Director of Development

Building Faith & Futures II - Athletic Complex Named

It is with great excitement we announce the Athletic Complex has been named, DeFouw Sports Complex! The DeFouw name has always been a familiar one in Lafayette, especially here in the Lafayette Catholic Schools.

In 1961, William and Donna DeFouw moved their three daughters, Jeanne DeFouw Gernhardt '69 (husband Dennis), Christine DeFouw '75 and Kathleen DeFouw '78 to Lafayette. Here the DeFouw family opened DeFouw Chevrolet and their family became very active in the Lafayette Catholic School System. For three generations the family has given generously of their time, talent and treasure.

Today Dennis and Jeanne own DeFouw Chevrolet BMW. They are members of St. Mary Cathedral Parish and have three children who are all Central Catholic alumni: Lauren Gernhardt Scherer '99 (husband Nate), Alexis Gernhardt Melbrod '01 (husband Scott), and Grant Gernhardt '05 who is now involved in the family business.

Please join me in thanking Donna DeFouw, Dennis and Jeanne Gernhardt for their continued support of the Lafayette Catholic School System. They serve as wonderful examples of good Catholic servant leaders...valuing faith, family, friends and always giving back.

Sincerely,

Matt C. Buche
Director of Development

2014 - 2015 LCSS Student Ambassadors Announcement

The Lafayette Catholic Schools Student Ambassador Program is a group of outstanding students who are selected to represent the Lafayette Catholic School System to prospective students, their families, alumni, stakeholders and the community at large. The most qualified and diverse students from a variety of interests are chosen to work together to build on our school's outstanding reputation and bring future Knights to our system. Students must be in good standing with the school and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative g.p.a.

Please join me in congratulating the 2014-2015 Lafayette Catholic School System Student Ambassadors:

• Jackson Anthrop (11th), Dana Blichmann (12th), Cameron DeBlasio (12th), Julianne Delaney (11th), Logan Hack (12th), Mira Hoffman (11th), Tierney Hurst (11th), Cameron Onken (11th), Sarah Scheetz (11th) and Hannah Weber (11th)

DUTIES PERFORMED BY THE STUDENT AMBASSADORS

Student Ambassadors represent the Lafayette Catholic Schools and its many entities, both on

and off campus. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

● Provide campus tours

● Attend recruiting events

● Connect with students who have specific questions about our community

● Serve as orientation leaders

● Assist new students in their transition to Central Catholic

● Promote opportunities to be actively involved on campus

● Advance the ideals of the Lafayette Catholic Schools through community outreach efforts

BENEFITS OF BECOMING A STUDENT AMBASSADOR

● Develop valuable leadership and communication skills

● Make meaningful connections with prospective and new students by sharing your

experience and knowledge of the Lafayette Catholic School System.

● Work closely with LCSS faculty, staff and administration

● Enhance your personal resume

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Lafayette Catholic School Development office.

Warm regards,

Matt C. Buche

Director of Development

(765) 474-7500

mbuche@lcss.org

Athletic Complex Update

Construction continues on the new Building Faith and Futures II Athletic Complex. Over the past week there have been many yards of concrete poured, light poles have arrived, Duke Energy has brought new power to the facility and the grass continues to mature on the new soccer fields. It has been a fun project to follow, raise money for and document. In an effort to help you visualize the future of what I believe will be one of the most outstanding athletic complexes in the state, below are several updates.

The future new entrance to the new Athletic Complex: Paul J. La Rocca Field, Gernhardt Track and Gordon Leming Field. 

I have termed this 'CC Island'. This is a 16' diameter seat wall with a 5' sidewalk in the center of the vehicle roundabout. The CC logo will be applied using a material that it 5 times the strength of concrete.

 Concession stand and restrooms will serve both outdoor facilities. 

When you see the numbers and stripes it makes the track come to reality.

The Central Catholic Jr./Sr. High School limestone seal. A special thanks to Zach Brown at Lafayette Masonry and Brian Roark with Pyramid Sign and Design for making this a reality in a short timeframe.

The concrete pour is almost over. The vehicle roundabout and CC Island are next! 

No more cinder to walk on or broken asphalt to the Gordon Leming Field. Ornamental fence will be installed soon.

Thank you to everyone who has made this project possible so far. The dedication of the facility is scheduled for September 26th. This is a $2.1 million project and we are just over $1.5 million there. We need your support and do not hesitate to reach out to our office if you are willing to financially support Building Faith and Futures II.  

Warmest regards,

Matt Buche

Director of Development

(765) 474-7500 Phone

mbuche@lcss.org

2014 Golf Outing Details

Join us for the 23rd Annual Lafayette Catholic School System Golf Outing. 

All proceeds benefit Tuition Assistance

Friday, September 5, 2014

Registration, Team Photo & Lunch:  10 AM

Shotgun Start:  11:30 AM

Awards After Golf:  4 PM (approx.)

Men...Tan Tee   Seniors...Blue Tee   Ladies...Fairway

The 2013 Golf Outing raised $19,890 for Tuition Assistance. Since 1995 the Annual LCSS Golf Outing has raised more than $273,000 to benefit Tuition Assistance for students in the Lafayette Catholic School System.

If you are interested in being a volunteer or have questions contact Chris Goellner in the Development Office at (765) 474-7500 or goellner@lcss.org.

---

THANK YOU TO OUR 2013 SPONSORS

The Assurance Group - AXA Advisors - Bar Barry Liquors - Beck's Auto Center - Blichmann Engineering - Bob Rohrman Toyota - Dowell Automotive - Dr. James Hoover - Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health - Farm Bureau - Freckles Graphics - Hoosier Park - Huston Electric - Igloo Frozen Custard - IMI - Indiana Grand Casino - Lewis Motor Sales - Mather Vision Group - MBAH Insurance - Mayor Tony Roswarski - Milestone Contrators - O'Bryan Construction - Morgan Stanley Smith Barney - Muinzer Moving & Storage - Paradigm Consulting - Paul & Alice LaRocca - Prudential Insurance - Purdue Federal Credit Union - Pyramid Sign - Randy Truitt State Representative - Reed & Company - Ron Alting State Senator - Scholer Corporation - School Datebooks - State Farm Insurance Trent Johnson - St. Thomas Aquinas Center - Steiner Enterprises - Straight Lines - Strategic Financial Group - Tecton Construction - The Mitchell Agency - The Outpost Catering - West Side Tractor

Newsletter 7/7/14

What a joy to write my first official newsletter for the Lafayette Catholic School System. I am extremely excited and honored to serve our school system as the Director of Development and Alumni Relations. It is hard to believe it has been a month on the job. In my short tenure I cannot express enough gratitude for the number of people who have done unbelievable things to keep the Lafayette Catholic School System thriving. As a student and young parent, you do not always realize the dedication of time, talent and resources people have committed over the years. To all of you, I want to say ‘Thank you!’

Looking to the future of development for the Lafayette Catholic School System, we have a lot of work to accomplish. As many of you are aware, we are in the midst of the Building Faith & Futures II Athletic Facility Campaign. This is a $2.1 million campaign to support our student athletes and successful athletic programs. To date we have raised just over $1.4 million. For the past 15 years, I have traveled the state of Indiana officiating high school football, baseball and basketball. Based upon my conversations with school administrators, officials and coaches we should be proud that we have one of the most recognized athletic programs in the state and will soon have an athletic complex to match our success. It is a true testament to the dedication of our student athletes, coaches, parents, alumni and supporters.

The new athletic complex is a great way for us to connect with the community. I look forward to welcoming more members from the area at our facilities that will now be able to compete in track and field events and practice on our soccer fields. It is estimated these new facilities provide us with the opportunity to touch approximately 20,000 more people over the course of a year.

Between now and the end of the year we have $700K more to raise. It is going to take hard work and your assistance to make this happen. In the coming weeks we will have a blog and live video stream highlighting the progress of the project. I welcome your comments and questions as the project progresses. If you want to personally learn more or financially support the project, please contact our office. Donations to the campaign may be paid over a 3-year period.

I am also pleased to announce there are much needed updates happening to the Central Catholic Jr./Sr. choir and band rooms this summer. I am pretty sure the carpet has not changed since I went to school here. Thanks to financial gifts from a grant and supporter, both rooms will be getting new carpet, acoustical ceiling, paint, whiteboards, electronic media and electric piano. We continue to seek additional funds to replace some or all of the musical instruments. If you get a moment, I would encourage you to look at our existing instruments. There are parts missing off many of them and most look like they have been here since the school opened. Based upon our survey of equipment there is an immediate need of $56,000 and an additional $33,000 need if we expand the program to 40 students. Please contact me if you would like to learn more about the project.

We are also analyzing all the ways our department can touch people. We have a great story to tell about what is happening in the Lafayette Catholic School System. Our Catholic community, parents, alumni and friends need to constantly hear the stories. Over the next couple of months, we will be working on a cohesive plan to communicate our stories through print, email, news and social media. In the near future there are several updates coming to our website www.lcss.org under Giving and Alumni.

If you ever have any questions, comments or suggestions for the Development office, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at mbuche@lcss.org or (765) 474-7500. We are here to serve the Lafayette Catholic School System community and cannot do our jobs successfully without your support. I am very excited about the future of our school system and look forward to serving in this capacity.

Sincerely,

Matt C.  Buche ‘95