By Lisa Morales - Archbishop Curley Notre Dame HS
MIAMI | On Give Miami Day, Archbishop Curley Notre Dame Knights past and present showed Miami what a small school community can do: 81 unique gifts totaling $10,810 were donated to the school in less than 24 hours.
Overall, Give Miami Day generated $5,209,205.93 to benefit 520 participating non-profit organizations in South Florida.
Spreading the word in such a short amount of time was not easy. So current students and their teachers united with ACND’s parents council and alumni and created a non-stop buzz on social media – Instagram, the network of choice for students, and Facebook and Twitter for adults.
“Give Miami Day was such a fantastic opportunity for us to raise some much needed funds for the school’s Individualized, iPad Learning program,” said Douglas Romanik, ACND principal. “This money will assist with iPad maintenance, and E-Text and Apple TV purchases. Eventually, subsequent fundraising efforts will help fund need-based scholarships and classroom remodeling to adapt to the new learning format. Most importantly, we are privileged to be part of this special community day that says we can all be philanthropists. It is not the size of the gift but the number of gifts that make the difference.”
The Miami Foundation makes a bonus gift for every online donation between $25 and $10,000 received on Give Miami Day. Plus, 24 prizes were awarded to nonprofits that hit key milestones throughout the day, such as the first gift received and receiving gifts from the most countries.
ACND Prep offered its own incentive gifts donated by Buena Vista Chocolate and Wine, which is located across the street from the school.
- School parent Gabriela Lara won a $30 gift certificate for making a donation closest to midnight on Nov. 20 (when Give Miami Day commences);
- Diane Stead (class of ‘70) won homemade jelly for donating closest to 8 a.m.;
- Amelia Jaime (class of ‘82) won chocolate bark for donating closest to 3 p.m.; and
- Jerome Hurtak (class of ‘76) won a bottle of rosé wine for donating closest to 6 p.m.
ACND Prep is currently offering private student/parent tours for families wishing to experience an Individualized
Learning school day. To learn more and schedule an appointment, visit www.acnd.net/admissions.