Auctioning off trip to Rome, gifts as fundraiser to help transform students’ lives at Holy Family Cristo Rey
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Elijah Brown is well on his way to achieving his dream of becoming a biological scientist, thanks to a 4.0 GPA at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School that enabled him to get over $360,000 in scholarship offers to 17 colleges, including his top choice, Samford University.
Fellow senior Khayla Jones, who has over $220,000 in scholarship offers to 15 colleges, will begin her college journey this fall as she strives to become a physical therapist. Jones and Brown both credit the positive academic environment at Holy Family Cristo Rey for creating an opportunity for success.
“Before I came to this school, I knew what I wanted to do as an adult, but didn’t see a path that would get me there,” Brown said. “Now I’m on my way.”
Jones and Brown are just two examples of lives the public can help transform by participating in the 2nd Annual Rey of Hope Dinner & Auction on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at The Club, 1 Robert S. Smith Dr. in Birmingham.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Live auction items include a Costa Rica vacation, a trip to Rome that includes a stay in a private apartment at the Vatican, an SEC Football Championship Ticket Package, and a private in-home dinner prepared by Chef Chris Vizzina.
Silent auction items include Walt Disney World park-hopper passes, a weekend getaway for two at the Westin Hotel, three laps at the raceway in Talladega through the Dale Jarrett Racing Experience, and two tickets to the July 8 opening night of “The Little Mermaid” at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
Through the Rey of Hope Dinner & Auction, individuals and companies can help make a positive difference in the lives of some of metro Birmingham’s underserved students, said David Hodges, director of development at Holy Family Cristo Rey.
“By supporting Rey of Hope, you can help support our mission to transform lives of urban students in Birmingham and surrounding communities,” Hodges said.
The school is among 26 high schools across the country affiliated with the Cristo Rey Network that requires students to participate in a unique work-study program. Students at Holy Family Cristo Rey currently work in more than 90 businesses across metro Birmingham one day a week, earning money which offsets their tuition. Every member of the senior class will graduate on May 24 and has been accepted to college.
To become a sponsor, buy tickets or donate auction items for Rey of Hope, call Holy Family Cristo Rey Development Officer Denise Michard at (205) 263-0137 or email her at dmichard@hfcristorey.org. For more information on Holy Family Cristo Rey, go to www.hfcristorey.org. You can also follow the school on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
