THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603140303
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
A weekend telethon netted more than $15,000 in pledges to benefit seven local Catholic elementary schools.
The Catholic Elementary Education Foundation sponsored a four-hour telethon Saturday. The event included hours of children's acts, singing nuns and segments highlighting Catholic education.
``It was a tremendous success,'' said John Langlois, the telethon's executive producer and co-founder.
The project included the work of more than 500 volunteers and several Catholic groups, including schools, churches and hospitals.
``We received money from Hampton Roads and the Peninsula. It was an exciting four hours,'' Langlois said.
Eighty percent of the money collected will go to several local 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.
Last year, the telethon collected about $10,000. The schools used their share for scholarships and supplies.
Langlois says the size of the schools' checks will depend on how much money is actually collected.
``We usually receive 90 percent of the amount that's pledged,'' he said. by CNB