St. Barnabas School is hosting its inaugural Ignite Gala Fundraiser on Friday, October 19th from 6-11pm at Woodside Event Center in Broadview Heights. The Ignite Gala will be the premier school fundraiser and will raise funds to benefit the St. Barnabas capital improvements and student experience. This year, all proceeds will go towards improving campus security to ensure a safe learning environment for all students, faculty and staff.
Auction items and bidding preview will take place from 6-7pm. Dinner will be served at 7:15 and beginning at 8pm, there will be a presentation and a live and silent auction. The Ignite Gala will have unique auction items including a blessed bible from Pope Francis, a private jet to Niagara Falls for an evening, a Mexican vacation house for a week, Food Network Chef cooking for your family, spa and restaurant gift cards, sports and golf packages, front row pew for the 4:00 PM Christmas Eve St. Barnabas Mass and 2 close parking spots and Principal Erin Faetanini has even offered a night of babysitting! The evening will conclude with dancing to the music of Scott Alan.
St. Barnabas hosted a Sponsor Night for Ignite Gala sponsors on Friday, August 24th at the school. The night was comprised of a presentation of the strategic plan for security updates identified by the Summit County Sheriff’s Department and Secure My Campus, a 3rd party consultant. Recommended updates include:
â—Ź Extended Day: a new door for entry and pick up along with new cameras and 2-way communication system was installed this summer.
â—Ź Implementation of Emergency Notification System to parents
● Implement campus access control system
 (swipe badges for all staff)
â—Ź Create secure main entrance at northeast corner of building, with a vestibule for visitor check-in
â—Ź Eliminate the breezeway as visitor entrance
â—Ź Upgrade video verification intercom at key entrances
● Upgrade school security system – alarm, motion detection, door sensors
A tour of the school led by Secure My Campus showcasing the necessary security updates and changes concluded the evening.
Vince Westerman of The Westerman Group is a sponsor of the Ignite Gala and understands the importance of the cause. “My decision to support Ignite was based upon being a St. Barnabas parishioner my whole life, having friends that have children, grandchildren in the school and understanding the need to begin the process in order to provide a higher level of security for the students and faculty at St. Barnabas School.”
“I sent my children to St. Barnabas School and now my grandchildren are starting their St. Barnabas journey. It is so important to keep current with necessary security updates so St. Barnabas can continue providing a safe environment and excellent Catholic education for years to come.” Denise Basch of Don Basch Jewelers said. “We are excited to sponsor the Ignite Gala because it is such an important cause close to our hearts!”
The Ignite Gala is being led by co-chairs Mike Fleming and Jessica Endress, and committee members Erin Faetanini, Kathleen Hamm, Maryellen Skelin, Amy DiMarco, Tony Post and Debbie Majoros as well as subcommittees comprised of more than 30 parents.
Individual tickets are $100/ticket, a table of eight is $800 and can be upgraded to $1,000 which includes bottle service and a table sponsor. Corporate sponsorships and program ads are available, and auction items are still being accepted. All forms are available at at www.sbcatholicschool.com/ignite.
“Please join us, our St. Barnabas families, and business and community leaders on this special night. We will have a wonderful dinner, music, live and silent auction items, and after-party dancing that you won’t want to miss” said Erin Faetanini, St. Barnabas School Principal.
Visit www.sbcatholicschool.com/ignite to learn more and purchase your tickets.
