Advancement & Alumni » Events

Events in Review

Cardinal Event

Saturday, November 14, 2009

car-di-nal (kahr-di-nal) adj.  1. Of foremost importance; paramount

The Cardinal Club is a service organization made up of parents/guardians who’s primary purpose is to assist the Athletic Director. Club members focus on sports’ co-curricular activities and raise funds for the athletic program, supporting the educational programs of the school.

The Cardinal Club hosted their annual Cardinal Event; A fundraiser for Bishop Athletics Saturday, November 14, 2009.  This annual event is the Cardinal Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year with all proceeds going to support the Cardinal Athletic program, (a portion of the funds supports the school’s Parent Board Advisory).

For many years this event was called the “Special Event”.  In recent years the Cardinal Club changed the name to the Cardinal Club Event; A fundraiser for Bishop Athletics!  For new families to the school, the Cardinal Club Event is one of the best deals in town!  A raffle ticket for $150.00 will provide you and a guest with admission into the event with hearty hor d’oeuvres while all beverages are provided from soft drinks to open bar and wine courtesy of Fess Parker Winery.  The ticket includes an opportunity to win $20,000 in cash or a car; this year was a 2010 Prius II.

Guests entered the main gym with an array of sports themed tables and décor.  The student servers were from the junior class and dressed in “official” zebra striped referee shirts as they passed scrumptious mini corn dogs, hamburgers and sandwiches to the guests.  The center buffet table was filled with the perfect sport snacks from green apple salad, vegetables and dip, the outstanding teriyaki meatballs and more from Silvergreens. 

There were eighteen CASH prize winners with a grand total of $3,650 being distributed throughout the evening.  An additional $1,000 drawing for those who sold more than three tickets; congratulations to Peter Georgi ’72 who sold 32 raffle tickets and was the $1,000 winner!  The crowd roared with excitement for Peter but were also amazed that his name was pulled being he also won the $500 Early Bird drawing which was held Friday, October 1st on BDTV. 

With over six hundred raffle tickets sold and over three hundred people attending: the school’s gym was filled with excitement and anticipation for the announcement of the grand prize WINNER!  As the barrel spun for the Grand Prize drawing the gym grew very quiet in anticipation.  Young Mathew Helkey; soon to be a Cardinal reached in the barrel, swirled his hand around and pulled out ONE magical ticket with the name of Gabriel Munoz!  Cardinal Club President; Jim Slaught took a deep breath, stated over the microphone the winner’s initials were G.M.  One table started to giggle with excitement thinking, “could it really be”?  Jim then spoke those two words; Gabriel Munoz!  The table filled with family and friends erupted with excitement as Tina Perez, Bishop Parent stood up and walked toward the stage; but the walk too a few minutes as she gasped with laugher and happiness stating; I’m going to faint, I told my nephew he had to buy this ticket because he would win and he did”! 

Gabriel Munoz was not present at the event, he just happen to be in the City of Luck that night – Las Vegas!  Tina did not waste anytime to call him in Las Vegas to share the news, but still shocked with excitement the phone was soon turned over to Fr. Tom Elewaut, school principal who shared the news of being the winner of $20,000 or a 2010 Prius II!  After the shock of being the winner of the Cardinal Club Event, Gabriel Munoz selected the $20,000 as his grand prize. 

The Cardinal Club raised approximately $60,000 (net) to support the school’s athletic program.  The Club Officers continue their efforts during the year to raise additional funds for athletics. 

In addition to the evening’s prizes, the Junior Class hosted its own raffle, selling tickets by arm (wing span) width, by body wrap (mummy style) length and then for the big spenders, by gym length! All proceeds go to the students’ prom.  Ticket holders then were seen splitting yards of tickets, while retaining one set for the drawings to be held.  Winners needed to be present to claim their prizes.  Ticket holders then busily stuffed containers for drawings of their preferred prizes.  Prizes included; Golf Galore, Wine and Polo, UCSB Sports Package, BBQ Bounty, Volcom suitcase, backpack, and snow board traveling bag and signed volleyball by Misty May and Kerry Walsh and SALT sunglasses and many more super items. 

Thank you to the following individuals and community businesses assisting with the event and/or providing donations to make this event a huge success: Toyota of Santa Barbara, Silvergreens, Fess Parker Winery, Robitaille’s Fine Candies, B & H Flowers, The Parent Advisory Board, The Junior Class and Parent Reps and The Advancement Team.  Congratulations to the Cardinal Club Officers Jim Slaught, Tim Mathis, Mary Kohler and Patty Fling and their amazing Food and Décor committee members Marisa Grimes, Ruth Sleep, Kristin Hogue, Renee Gignac, Anna Tetherow, Esther Brand and Ashley Snider.