HAMMOND – This year, Bishop Noll Institute took a big step by moving its Spring Gala offsite to Wicker Park Social Center, embracing a formal format that brought a renewed sense of glamour and reconnection to the community.
The "spirit of elegance" was matched only by the spirit of generosity. Bishop Noll is currently on track to celebrate a single-event fundraising record, with the net expected to approach $120,000.
Those on staff at BNI expressed their gratitude to those who joined in person for a night of celebration on April 25, and those who showed support from across the country through sponsorships, donations and prayers.
"It was truly special to connect with so many of our alumni in such a beautiful setting," said Eddie Limon, vice president of advancement. "Seeing the multi-generational support for Noll is a testament to this community. The generosity we witnessed is simply beautiful."
Limon, a 1985 BNI grad, said the goal was to dress things up a bit by moving to a banquet hall and offering a plated dinner instead of a buffet.
"That upgrade was appealing to many," Limon said. "Our team did a great job of putting the event together, promoting it and executing it. I was fortunate to be in touch with many of our alumni in the month leading up, as part of our 'Roll Noll Tour' in the south and southeast U.S., and it was so encouraging to see how our alumni and benefactors from coast to coast stepped up to sponsor, to donate, and to bid on auction items."
The silent auction portion of the event is all executed digitally - not with paper, pen and clipboards - allowing supporters to bid on items from far and wide. There were 118 people in attendance for the Gala, but in total, well over 300 individuals or businesses were involved in supporting in one way or another.
On “Gala day," Liimon said, "We came together to give back to a very special place that has given so much to each of us for over a century. Gratitude for what Bishop Noll has meant to so many was expressed in such a generous fashion, and the BNI community is eternally grateful.”
Every year, the diocesan high school organizes a spring fundraiser. In years past, it was called the Emporium, a very extravagant event held at the school with ice sculptures, a live auction, tuxedos and dresses. The first BNI Emporium was held in the school fieldhouse on April 3, 1982, and raised $33,000 from 243 attendees. That event ran successfully for 33 years before it was replaced in 2015 by The Big Event, a more casual and affordable event held at the school to attract a wider range of alumni and friends.
Recently, BNI decided to go back to the gala format, creating an elegant theme with cocktail attire. The school also decided to host the event offsite for the first time in recent years, choosing the Wicker Park Social Center in Highland as its venue.
“Wicker Park recently hosted the Class of 1985's reunion,” explained Jennifer Florek, associate director of advancement. “The classmates put it together, and they had it there. They really enjoyed it, and thought Wicker Park did a great job.”
Those organizing the event felt Wicker Park would be a nice central location for the Spring Gala, as most of its alumni tend to live in south Lake County, while many of its current families reside in north Lake County.
The money raised from the event supports students' needs with an emphasis on scholarships. Florek explained it is not only alumni who typically give during the fundraiser, but current parents, past parents and others.
“It just seems like everyone felt a lot of generosity,” she said, speaking about the success of this year’s gala. “I think there's just such good buzz about Bishop Noll with enrollment growing. Everyone feels exciting things are happening, so they want to support it.”
President Paul Mullaney added that while the event is intended to be Noll's largest single-day fundraiser, it's much more.
"The gala is also an opportunity to bring the Noll community together to celebrate the impact of what the school has meant to the tens of thousands of students who have walked the halls here for 105 years," Mullaney said.
Bishop Noll is now looking ahead to its Alumni & Friends Golf Invitational on July 13 at Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville and Tailgate Party with Homecoming Game on Oct. 2 inside the Warrior Athletic Stadium.
For more information about BNI, visit https://www.bishopnoll.org or email advancement@bishopnoll.org.
