THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996 TAG: 9603110189
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
How much money will a juggling priest, a chorus of singing nuns, and a slew of dancing Catholic school students collect in a fund-raiser?
The Catholic Elementary Education Foundation hopes about $15,000 as it televises its fifth annual telethon on Saturday to raise money for seven area Catholic elementary schools.
The telethon, being aired from noon to 4 p.m., involves the efforts of more than 500 volunteers and several Catholic groups including schools, churches and hospitals. Organizers hope to raise scholarship funds, money for school supplies and public awareness.
``I have people who say, `I didn't know you were there,' and we've been here for more than 65 years,'' said Laura Reese, a preschool teacher at Holy Trinity School in Norfolk.
``I think a lot of people think Catholic school education is no longer available or that you must be Catholic to participate. We do have a lot of Catholics in the schools but a lot of non-Catholics as well.
``It's a Christian-values-based system,'' she said.
Volunteer executive producer John Langlois, president of Tele-Video Productions, helped develop the telethon several years ago.
``I was having dinner with several business leaders and the conversation came up that we have a lot of good Catholic elementary schools and we need a way to promote them,'' said Langlois, a 1976 graduate from St. Pius X in Norfolk.
``We came up with the idea and ran with it.''
Organizers raised about $10,000 last year and hope to collect at least $15,000 this weekend. Corporate sponsors have paid for most of the airtime and production costs and 80 percent of the money received will be split evenly among the seven schools - Holy Trinity School in Norfolk, Portsmouth Catholic Elementary School in Portsmouth, St. Gregory's School in Virginia Beach, St. Mary's Academy in Norfolk, St. Mary's Star of the Sea School in Hampton, St. Matthew's in Virginia Beach and St. Pius X School in Norfolk.
The live telecast will feature some pre-recorded kids performances as well as live entertainment by Polish dancers, Hispanic and Filipino choirs, and various clergy talent. The program will also have segments highlighting the athletic successes of Catholic school students, vocational opportunities in the clergy and a fashion show featuring the latest in Catholic school apparel.
In addition to making pledges, viewers are invited to call-in birthday and special greetings which will be announced on the show. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
ON TV
The telethon will be aired noon to 4 p.m. on WGNT-27. To pledge,
call 397-CALL or 1-800-KIDS-670.
by CNB