HOME      Saint Francis Xavier School      Development A Letter From the Development Director

Dear Friends of St. Francis Xavier,

It is hard to believe that it has been almost a year since I started at St. Francis as your Director of Development. What a busy and enjoyable time this has been. First — the office. I did not have one — no office, no desk and no computer when I first arrived! Miraculously, by the time of my first board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, September 20th, our very generous benefactor, Paul Mergens, had worked his magic and all was in place — sans computer and phone!

From those humble beginnings, I can now report that I do have a computer and a phone. We also have produced a direct mailing of over 3000 pieces and have just finished a follow-up mailing of more than 1100 pieces. What does this mean for St. Francis Xavier School? As we go to print, more than $53,000 has been donated from alumni, parents, past parents and friends. In addition, we have been the recipient of a $15,000 grant from the Fanny Allen Corporation. And, our library looks very different thanks to Hickok and Boardman Financial Services and their gift of a conference table and chairs, plus a gift of a new sofa from Myers New and Used Furniture.

But the most important job I have is “friend raising” to raise funds. I have met many of you, either at Mass or when you visit the school. Some of you have called on the phone and given information about yourselves and other alumni. Many of you are old friends whom I have not seen in a while and now I am enjoying your presence again. Thanks to all of you for your kind and generous support of our school and for making me feel so welcome in your community. For all of your gifts, large and small, I would like you to know how very grateful we are for such generous support.

Sincerely,

Kathleen A. Conlin
Director of Development