2008-09 LEF: For 2nd Consecutive Year, Blue Jays Contribute
More Than $1 Million to Annual Drive  | The final night of the LEF spring campaign on Wednesday (March 18, 2009) brought together
a quintet from the Class of ’95 who did a great job of reaching out to their classmates.
Jesuit’s president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. commended the young Blue Jays for their enthusiasm and for setting aside time in their hectic schedules to join about 15 other volunteers from various classes to close out the LEF spring drive. Joining Fr. McGinn are, from left, Mark Hughes,
J.P. Escudier, James Waldron, Kurt Buchert, and Stephen Hanemann. |
The three-night spring LEF drive for fiscal year 2009 concluded Wednesday night and the results pushed the total amount of pledges for this important campaign over the $900,000 level. There is still a long way to go for alumni to surpass the $1 million-plus pledge and donation thresholds which produced a record-setting LEF drive in the 2008 fiscal year. The current LEF drive ends June 30, which gives alumni who have not yet donated several more weeks to “get ’er done.” 
LEF Chairman John Fitzpatrick ’86
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The results of the three-night phone and email campaign are impressive considering that pledges and donations to the drive coincide with unprecedented financial market and economic conditions. There were 75 volunteers who brought in 221 pledges totaling $42,783.
“This says a lot about the generosity of our alumni who understand that their donations to Jesuit High School are needed now more than ever in these tough economic times,” says John Fitzpatrick ’86, who is chairman of the 2009 LEF drive. “I especially encourage those Blue Jays who do not have a giving history to get involved before June 30 and make a donation to the LEF, whether it is $10, $20, or $50. Participation by our alumni is the key to the drive’s success.” Alumni who could not come to Jesuit for the spring drive are welcome to get in touch with the development office to obtain a list of emails for their classmates who have not yet pledged or donated. Several volunteers who participated in the spring drive say they intend to follow-up by calling and emailing Blue Jays who could not be reached duing the past three nights. This can easily be done from your home or office. If you are interested in helping in this fashion with your own class, please email: lef@jesuitnola.org.
Jesuit thanks LEF chairman John Fitzpatrick III for leading the fall and spring drives. And, of course, thanks to the many tireless volunteers whose efforts are most appreeciated. Finally, thanks to all Blue Jays who ignored caller ID and answered their phone anyway. The phone calls often resulted in pledges or online donations while, at the same time, renewing the special bond that exists among all Jesuit Blue Jays. |
After Fall Phone Campaign, 2009 LEF Drive Pushes Pledges Past 2,100 as Generous Alumni Commit $672,000 
John Fitzgerald III ’86 (left), who is chairman of the 2008-09 LEF drive,
stands outside St. Ignatius Hall with three of his classmates,
Jim Scott, Ricky Gallagher, and Brian Grenrood.
The results of the 2008-09 LEF drive, which began July 1 of this year and ends June 30, 2009, keep getting better all the time. The four-night fall phone and email campaign helped push the drive into third gear. The results of those four nights are fantastic — $297,835 in pledges from 999 Blue Jays! A total of 166 callers filled St. Ignatius Hall during the four evenings of the drive, Nov. 17-20, 2008. “These results are outstanding,” says John Fitzpatrick III ’86, who is chairman of this year’s drive. “I thank everyone who came to Jesuit and called their classmates, and I also thank those Blue Jays who responded by making a pledge. For those Blue Jays who have not yet contributed, it’s easy to get it done with an LEF Online Donation.”
Missed all the fun and excitement that only a night at the LEF can bring? Then check out the LEF Fall Phone Drive Photo Gallery. Curious about the LEF results to date, as well as which classes in each decade are leading the rest of the pack? You’ll find all this info when you visit 2008-09 LEF Drive. The spring follow-up drive will take place for three nights, March 16-18, 2009.
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Wednesday Night, November 19, 2008:
Not as Productive as the First Two Nights But Results Are Still Nothing to Sneeze At 
Dickie Dupre (left) and Mike Gunaldo of the Class of 1983
are just two of the 27 alumni who showed up to call classmates
on Wednesday night.
On the third evening of the LEF fall phone and email drive, 27 callers showed up. But these volunters still worked the phones to the tune of $50,409, representing 178 pledges from their Blue Jay classmates. |
Tuesday Night, November 18, 2008:
Blue Jays Blitz LEF Drive with 352 Pledges, Breaking the $100,000 Barrier for a Single Night!
Who Are These Guys and Why Are They Smiling?
Meet the LEF leaders from the Class of ’91 who raised a mere $15,000 in pledges from their classmates while volunteering Tuesday evening in St. Ignatius Hall.
They are, from left, Beau LeBlanc, Kyle Graffagnini, Vinnie Varisco, Ryan Gootee, and Sean Sellers. Their fundraising spree for the LEF lasted some 90 minutes during which they feverishly juggled
the Jesuit phones, their Blackberries, and a laptop or two. And they had fun doing it, too!
The second night of the LEF fall drive took in $110,508 (and 16 cents) in pledges and donations from 352 Blue Jays. There were 51 volunteers from more than 20 classes who came to Jesuit on Tuesday to participate in the LEF drive, which will continue for two more nights, ending Thursday, November 20. “The results for the first two nights have been fantastic,” according to John Fitzpatrick III ’86, who is chairman of this year’s drive. “So far, our 113 volunteers have done an outstanding job of bringing in 668 pledges from their classmates totaling $210,167. I am confident we can keep this momentum going for the final two nights. All we need is a roomful of Blue Jays calling their classmates. It’s that easy!” |
On Opening Night of LEF Fall Drive, 60 Volunteers
Secure Almost $100,000 in Pledges from 316 Blue Jays! 
Who says calling for Jesuit’s LEF is all work and no fun? This trio of Blue Jays from the Class of ’68 rounds up pledges and donations from their classmates during the opening night of the LEF’s fall phone and email drive on Monday, November 17 in St. Ignatius Hall. From left are: George Joint, Jr., Jay Baudier, and Dale Hunn. Along with 60 other volunteers, they helped raise nearly $100,000 from 350 fellow Blue Jays during the first evening of the drive.
The LEF fall campaign will continue for the next three nights,
ending Thursday, November 20.
Want to join the party and volunteer to call your classmates?
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Alumni Gifts to the LEF Drive Will Help Keep Jesuit the School that Changes Lives
Blue Jay alumni understand the value of their Jesuit High School education and appreciate the rich traditions that nurtured their growth. During their formative years at Carrollton and Banks, Blue Jays were molded into men of faith and men for others. That’s why thousands of alumni will always cherish their years at Jesuit High School. 
John Fitzpatrick III ’86 is chairman
of the 2008-09 LEF drive.
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One of the best ways for alumni to show their appreciation is to participate in the 2008-09 Living Endowment Fund drive, either as a donor, a class captain, or both. This year’s drive is chaired by John Fitzpatrick III ’86.
“Jesuit alumni are asked only once a year to contribute to their alma mater, and that time is now,” says Fitzpatrick. “I encourage all class captains, volunteers, and reunion coordinators to assume a leadership role by ensuring that their respective classes are well represented during the four-night fall drive and the three-night follow-up spring drive.”
§ The 3-night spring drive is Monday, March 16 - Wednesday, March 18, 2009. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. in Jesuit’s Student Commons. Contacting classmates by phone or email begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. in the newly renovated St. Ignatius Hall. If you can volunteer, please contact your Class Captain, or the development and alumni office (483-3815), or email: lef@jesuitnola.org. For 30 years, this annual drive has played a necessary and vital role in the financial stability and health of the school. · Gifts to the LEF help Jesuit pay above average salaries to exceptional teachers while attracting talented new faculty. · Contributions to the LEF go directly into the operating budget and help reduce expenses. Without the LEF, Jesuit would be forced to substantially increase tuition to make up the deficit. · Tuition is currently $6,450 per student -- one of the least expensive tuitions among private and Catholic high schools in the New Orleans area. It is also one of the lowest tuitions among the 48 other Jesuit high schools around the country. · Keeping tuition at an affordable level for most families attracts a diversity of students from almost 50 zip codes in the metro area, enabling our 1,338 current Blue Jays to experience Jesuit in much the same way that you and thousands of other alumni experienced Jesuit. The overwhelming generosity of Blue Jays such as yourself who participate in this annual drive helps keep Jesuit…Jesuit.
You may mail Jesuit your pledge card using the enclosed self-addressed envelope. Pledges should be fulfilled by the close of Jesuit’s fiscal year, June 30, 2009. Please take a few moments and send Jesuit your check today. Make it payable to Jesuit High School and mail it to 4133 Banks St.; New Orleans, LA 70119. Be sure to note on your check that it is your gift for the 2009 LEF drive. And don’t forget a matching gift from your employer can double your donation! The Giving Levels card has information for alumni whose companies provide matching gifts. Alumni may also contribute to the LEF by donating negotiable securities such as stocks or bonds. Legislation recently enacted by Congress allows donors who are 70 ½ years or older to make tax-free contributions to Jesuit directly from their IRA plans during the 2008 and 2009 tax years. Your participation and generosity will ensure that this year’s LEF drive will be as successful as the preceding 30 campaigns. It will be successful because Blue Jay alumni believe in the mission of Jesuit High School to develop in its students the competence, conscience, and compassion that will enable them to be men of faith and men for others. Jesuit… the school that changed your life remains the school that will change their lives.
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Calling All Class Captains & Volunteers:
Jesuit Needs You to Remind Your Classmates
of the Importance of the 2008-09 LEF Drive
Blue Jays who live in the New Orleans area are encouraged to donate their time and volunteer to contact their classmates for the fall LEF drive. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. in the Student Commons each night (except Thursday when dinner will be served in the Jesuit Cafeteria). Calling your classmates begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. in the newly renovated St. Ignatius Hall.
This year’s drive, which began Monday, November 17 and ends Thursday, November 20, is chaired by John Fitzpatrick III ’86.
Blue Jays who graduated in years ending in 4 and 9 will hold their reunions in 2009. Reunion leaders are especially urged to participate in the phone drive because it’s a great time to start drumming up support for their reunion events. Back to LEF Home Page Alumni Home Page
2007-08 LEF: Contributions Surpass $1 Million for First Time in History of Drive! Blue Jays' Generosity Shows in Spectacular Results for 2007-08 LEF Drive The 2007-08 LEF results are spectacular: § 3,321 pledges for $1,065,408 were made. § 3,040 donors contributed $1,027,000. § This tops the 2007 drive’s total by more than $144,254. § The average gift to the LEF was $332. § Almost $184,000 was donated online by 603 Blue Jay alumni.
“The online donations component of the LEF drive continues to grow,” says Carl Servat ’93, who chaired the 2008 drive. “The phone and email campaigns in the fall and spring were an important component in securing donations from our alumni.” The phone and email campaigns generated 1,272 pledges totaling $356,715. LEF Spring Phone Drive Photo Gallery
LEF Captains' Meeting LEF Photo Archives
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With Almost 100 Blue Jay Alumni Volunteering to Contact Their Classmates, 2007-08 Spring Phone Drive Nets $59K 
Jesuit’s president, Rev. Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66, addresses LEF callers during the spring phone drive. The LEF campaign helps keep Jesuit the same school that alumni attended.
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The three-night LEF phone campaign ended Wednesday, March 12 with Jesuit alumni pushing this important annual fundraiser into record territory. For the first time in its 29-year history, the LEF has surpassed $946,000 in pledges. Nearly 3,000 alumni are participating in the drive. The spring phone campaign brought in 291 pledges totaling $59,062. A total of 94 Blue Jays came to Jesuit to volunteer their time calling classmates. These results dwarf last year's spring phone campaign when 46 volunteers secured 136 pledges totaling $35,204. When the 2007 LEF drive ended June 30, 2007, 3,096 alumni pledged $896,079. Nearly 97% of pledges were fulfilled in last year's campaign. 
Vic Fulham ’65 fuels up before phoning begins.
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LEF chairman Carl Servat ’93 says the drive will shift gears and focus on e-mail appeals from class captains who will encourage their classmates to use Jesuit's online donation system to contribute before the campaign closes on June 30.
“Jesuit’s online donation system is secure, convenient, and easy to use,” says Servat. “At the same time, alumni are able to update their contact information. “Blue Jays understand the importance of the LEF drive because it defrays the school’s operating expenses, which in turn, keeps tuition affordable for most Jesuit families. Affordable tuition attracts a diversity of students which is one of Jesuit’s greatest assets.” Jesuit thanks all LEF captains and volunteers for their efforts during the phone campaign. |
Message to Jesuit Alumni from the 2007-08 LEF Chair
Carl Servat ’93 serves as chair of the 2007-08 LEF drive.
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Dear Blue Jays:
There were many alumni who could not be contacted during last fall's LEF phone campaign. The hurricanes in 2005 displaced many Blue Jays. As a result, information about some alumni remains securely stored in Jesuit’s alumni database, but unfortunately, the data may not be entirely accurate. You may have a new phone number, e-mail, even a new job.
If Jesuit does not have your correct address, then you are missing out on receiving class reunion information (graduation years ending in 3 or 8 have reunions in 2008), special event notices, and of course, its terrific alumni publication, Jaynotes. Jesuit strives to keep its more than 12,000 alumni informed and connected to their alma mater. You can help by participating in the LEF drive. The generosity of its alumni plays a vital role in Jesuit’s financial stability because contributions to the LEF defray operating expenses. This helps keep tuition at an affordable level for most families, while enabling the school’s diverse student body to experience Jesuit as you and I experienced Jesuit. The 2008 LEF drive began at the start of Jesuit's fiscal year, July 1, 2007 and will end June 30, 2008. Heading into the spring phone campaign that took place March 10-12, the LEF numbers were already impressive. More than 2,550 Blue Jays had pledged $854,000; Nearly 2,000 alumni had fulfilled their pledges by donating $675,000. Pledges were up 18% compared to last year at this time. Donations increased 13% compared to last year at this time.
I thank all those who have already pledged or contributed to the LEF drive. I am confident that many more of our alumni will participate before the drive ends in a few short months. You may not realize it, but Jesuit does not bombard its alumni with requests to donate to the school. In fact, Jesuit asks its alumni to contribute to the LEF only once each fiscal year. That request is made in early October before the fall phone campaign gets underway. The spring phone campaign focuses on alumni who have not yet responded to last October's mailing or could not be contacted during the November phone drive. Your involvement in the drive is important. Your generosity is most appreciated. On behalf of Jesuit, I thank you for giving something back to the school that gave each of us so much. Sincerely, Carl Servat ’93 2007-08 LEF Chair
Your Gift to the LEF Will Help Keep Jesuit the School that Changes Their Lives
Blue Jay alumni understand the value of their Jesuit High School education and the rich traditions that nurtured their growth. During their formative years at Carrollton and Banks, Blue Jays were molded into men of faith and men for others.
That’s why thousands of alumni will always cherish their years at Jesuit High School. In the New Orleans metro area, more than 7,000 Jesuit alumni are living, working, and raising families. Many of the New Orleans area Blue Jays were hit hard by Hurricane Katrina and to this day continue to rebuild their lives, homes, and businesses. Such is the resilience of Jesuit Blue Jays. Through it all, Blue Jays remain staunchly loyal to their Alma Mater, dedicated to preserving the same rich heritage and traditions for current and future Blue Jays. One of the best ways for alumni to show their appreciation is to participate in the 2007-08 Living Endowment Fund drive, either as a donor, a class captain, or both.
This year’s drive is chaired by Carl Servat ’93.
Jesuit alumni are asked only once each fiscal year to contribute... and that time is now.
Interested in volunteering
and staying connected? It's fun!
Email: lef@jesuitnola.org
Photo Gallery of 2007-08 LEF Fall Phone Drive
Alumni Participation Is Key Ingredient to LEF's Success
Rev. Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66, president of Jesuit High School, with some
of his classmates during the fall phone campaign
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The overwhelming display of selflessness and generosity from alumni who donate to the LEF helps keep Jesuit…Jesuit.
This year’s LEF chairman, Carl Servat ’93, encourages all class captains to assume a leadership role by volunteering for the LEF. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Jesuit’s development office at 483-3815, or e-mail: lef@jesuitnola.org. 
Manning the phones on the LEF front lines is this trio from the Class of ’94, from left,
Renny Simno, Matt Livaccari,
and Jonathan Therio.
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We have made it safe and simple to donate online through Jesuit’s website: LEF Secure Donation.
A new feature implemented in November 2007 allows alumni to submit their Pledges Online. Online pledges are sent directly to Jesuit’s development office which records the information and follows-up with reminders. Contributions to fulfill your pledge should be received by the close of Jesuit’s fiscal year, June 30, 2008. Matching gifts can double your donation! For information about matching gifts and various ways to contribute, view Giving Levels Info. Alumni may also contribute to the LEF by donating negotiable securities such as stocks or bonds.
With your help and generosity, this year’s LEF drive will surpass the results of previous campaigns. It will be successful because Blue Jay alumni are dedicated, faithful, and believe in the mission of their Alma Mater. Jesuit… the school that changed your life remains the school that will change their lives.
Contributions to the LEF have a direct impact on each and every current Blue Jay.
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LEF Plays Neccesary and Vital Role in Shaping Jesuit's Finances and Diversity of Student Body 
The LEF plays a necessary and vitally important role in charting
the financial health and stability of the school.
Here are some facts about the 2007-08 LEF drive: · Contributions to the LEF go directly into the operating budget and help reduce expenses. · Without the LEF, Jesuit would be forced to substantially increase tuition to make up the deficit. · A substantial increase in tuition would change the demographics of our student population, eroding the philosophical foundation upon which the school was built. · Tuition is currently $6,100 per student, one of the least expensive tuitions among private and Catholic high schools in the New Orleans area. It is also one of the lowest tuitions among the 47 other Jesuit high schools around the country. · Keeping tuition at an affordable level for most families attracts a diversity of students from some 50 zip codes in the metro area, enabling our 1,363 current Blue Jays to experience Jesuit in much the same way that thousands of alumni experienced Jesuit. · Last year, 3,095 alumni pledged more than $893,000 to the LEF. · 2,833 alumni donated more than $865,000 to last year’s LEF, a record amount. The average gift was $305. |
Captains and Volunteers Gather at Dinner-Meeting
Prior to Fall Phone Campaign
Back to LEF Home Page Alumni Home Page |
