VASJ community raises record-breaking amount during #weGiveCatholic

It was a record-setting Giving Tuesday on Dec. 2 for Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School. 

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, VASJ exceeded its fundraising goal of $70,000 and raised a total of $108,324 from 264 individuals, an all-time high for a #weGiveCatholic campaign at VASJ. Out of 20 large-sized schools that participated in #weGiveCatholic, VASJ placed third on the leaderboard.

"Our school community did it again! The VASJ community continues to show how much they value the Viking Village, as they contributed to our #weGiveCatholic campaign an amount that seemed unreachable," said VASJ President Tom Carone. "God Bless all of those who made our campaign a huge success."

Money raised during this year’s campaign will go toward supporting VASJ’s Tools & Machines class. Plans will be put in place to convert an unused garage on campus and transform it into a hands-on workshop for our burgeoning trades program. This project revives an important part of VASJ's history while opening new pathways for students who learn best by doing.

The renovation will include electric work, upgraded wiring, and new lighting and plumbing. Supplies will also be purchased for the class, including a compressor, engine stands, tool box sets, work benches, torque wrenches, lockers and shelving, a parts washer, textbooks, and safety equipment.

"We are amazed by the outpouring of generosity we received for our #weGiveCatholic campaign," said VASJ Director of Advancement Barb DiTurno '82. "The VASJ community is excited to enhance our trades program and support the students who want to explore opportunities for careers in areas that will allow them to use their minds, hands and abilities for future success. We now have a wonderful start because of the many donors who stepped up to support our Vikings."

A special thank you to our donors who graciously served as matching gift sponsors for this year’s campaign, including the Oarsmen Booster Club, Kevin Flynt ’70, the VASJ Board of Advisors, Ken ‘76 and Sherri Koncilja, the Villa Angela Academy Heritage Center Committee, Russ ’74 and Lynn ’76 Berzin, and the VASJ Young Alumni Association. We’d also like to extend gratitude to the St. Joseph Class of 1970, who rallied together and raised significant funds for our trades program. 

Whether you made a donation, encouraged your friends and family to give, or spread the word about our campaign, know that you played a key role in our successful day of giving.