VERO BEACH — On Thursday, April 21 at 10:30 a.m. Saint Edward’s School will dedicate a plaque honoring the members of the local community who have collectively donated more than $10 million toward relieving the School of its long-term debt.
“We are immensely grateful for the generosity of these donors,” said Head of School Mike Mersky. “Because of their belief in our need to serve this community now, and for many years to come, Saint Edward’s successfully concluded the restructuring of its financial obligations with its lender this past year. The momentum this gave us should not be underestimated – we successfully consolidated two campuses and strengthened every facet of the School over a period of 18 months.”
The plaque recognizes donors who have given directly to School for debt relief and donors who have contributed to the Pirate Fund. Many friends of the School had been donating gifts both large and small to assist with paying off the School’s debt obligations and a group of Board members, friends and parents initiated the Pirate Fund in 2009.
The donors to the Pirate Fund have each committed gifts equal to or greater than $50,000. The Fund is operated out of the Indian River Community Foundation for the benefit of Saint Edward’s School. The debt relief effort was composed of gifts of all sizes given directly to the School.
Gifts of $1 million or more were given by Mary Ann and Bill Becker, Patricia and Richard Burgoon, Kathy and Ron Edwards, Liza and Matt Gaston and Lorne and Heidi Waxlax.
The plaque unveiling and dedication will be held outside at the entrance to Oglethorpe Hall on the Saint Edward’s campus at 1895 Saint Edward’s Drive.
