St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic School Moves Fundraiser Online

Press release from St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic School:

Feb. 17, 2021

St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic School (SMV) invites friends and neighbors of its school community to join them in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by purchasing some “blarney in a box” as part of a fundraiser to support the school in many ways, including technology and special programs like the visiting art teacher that round out the school’s STREAM curriculum.

From February 15 through March 7, lads and lassies of Elm Grove and neighboring communities interested in some blarney – harmless and amusing fun – are invited to visit Blarney.Givesmart.com to purchase a variety of festive boxes, filled with Irish-themed fun and treats for leprechauns of all ages.

“When it became clear we wouldn’t be able to safely hold our annual dinner and auction fundraiser this year due to limitations in place on social gatherings, we decided to get creative and find other ways we could support our school,” said Blarney in a Box event co-chair Katie Carnell. “Instead of one big fundraiser, we’ve been holding a series of smaller events to help raise money for our school. Thanks to the tremendous sponsorship and support of community members and businesses – especially Jamie O’Donoghue of O’Donoghue’s Irish Pub – Blarney in a Box looks like it will be to be our most successful event yet!”

For $50, adult boxes include buyer’s choice of Black & Tan, Half & Half, Muddy Udder, and more beverage combinations that are packaged via two 32-ounce growlers, along with two pint glasses engravable at O’Donoghues Irish Pub in Elm Grove, a giant soft pretzel with mustard and cheese, and a mini bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey.

Boxes for the wee ones are also being sold for $50 and include buyer’s choice of orange or root beer sodas, an assortment of four imported candy bars, a giant pretzel, and crafts to keep the little leprechauns entertained. Boxes of 12 shamrock cookie decorating kits are also available for $30.

Additional opportunities available for purchase through the website include an online auction featuring various Irish flare, faire, and events; a cash raffle; wine and gift-card pulls, and; the opportunity to purchase a Box o’ Blarney for a deserving member of the SMV faculty and staff, seminarians at St. Francis de Sales, and the residents of St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus in Milwaukee.

Pre-ordering is required to acquire a Box o’ Blarney, which will be available for pick-up on Saturday, March 13 in the school parking lot as part of a festive day-of drive-through celebration featuring Irish music, dance, and if you’re lucky enough, a Leprechaun sighting.

“So many parents, teachers, extended families and area businesses have really stepped up to make this event possible. My fellow event co-chairs Maria Dolores and Tom Parks and my husband Kevin Carnell have all been tremendous. We are incredibly blessed by our parish school community and its commitment to seeing our school thrive, even during these challenging times,” added Carnell. “And the support of Jamie O’Donoghue has been overwhelming. The success of this event is really thanks to his incredibly generous donations, creative ideas, and community connections. It has been a fabulous partnership and we are very grateful for Jamie’s support!”

For more details about the various Blarney in a Box options available for purchase, along with more opportunities to donate in support of the school, please visit the event website at Blarney.Givesmart.Com. Or, you may email Auction@StMaryEG.org with any questions.

This press release was produced by St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic School. The views expressed here are the author's own.