$950,000 Raised at 2017 Alleluia Ball to Support Inclusive Education Initiative for Catholic Schools

The Alleluia Ball, a major fundraising event which traditionally supports Catholic Education, has raised $950,000 for Better Together, a new inclusive education initiative for Catholic schools in The Diocese of Cleveland. The Ball, presented by the Catholic Community Foundation, drew nearly 1,000 attendees to the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland on Saturday, October 14.

Funds raised through the generosity of sponsors and those in attendance are set to increase the ability of Catholic schools to educate and include all children, regardless of their learning differences or educational needs. Proceeds will provide seed money for the Diocesan Office of Education to acquire key resources to develop and enhance inclusion programs at 46 pilot schools in Northeast Ohio.

Cleveland’s new Bishop, Reverend Nelson J. Perez, began the evening with Mass and then inspired the audience with his comments: “Each of you here this evening comes from different communities, different parishes and for different reasons. But each of you shares a deep and passionate belief that Catholic education is vital and absolutely essential for our faith and for the future of our society.”

Alleluia Ball Co-Chairs, Jay and Lanee Lucarelli, were joined by Honorary Co-Chairs Zydrunas and Jennifer Ilgauskas. Since 2000, the Alleluia Ball has raised more than $6 million to support Catholic schools and families who seek a Catholic education for their children.

Patrick Grace, executive director of the Catholic Community Foundation, said: “There is a wonderful history of support for Catholic Education in this Diocese. Because of the generosity of this year’s Alleluia Ball supporters, Catholic schools will now be able to receive children who traditionally have not had the benefits of a Catholic education open to them.”

For more information and to support the Better Together initiative, click here.