Volunteering at IHM

Volunteers play a critical role in the life of our school and our parish.  Our school parents have many talents to offer.  As volunteers, parents act as positive role models for their children teaching them the importance of sharing their talents and energy to support worthy causes outside of their own families, including the school and broader parish community.  

All parents are asked to volunteer for at least one fundraising activity and one service activity.  Participation beyond this level is appreciated and encouraged!

Volunteer Opportunities - Fundraising

Amazing Autumn Auction

IHM's Auction Committee consists of IHM parishioners, primarily school parents, but not exclusively, who meet weekly during September through early November to organize an annual Auction on behalf of the Parish.  The committee, which consists of approximately 15-20 people, assumes responsibility to solicit advertisements and donations; sell tickets; manage the database of items to be auctioned and donors; organize donated goods and services; prepare the IHM gymnasium for the event; actively participate during the event including managing the food and drinks, tally items purchased, distribute the gifts; and coordinate "thank-you" letters to donors.

All of the above is completed within an 11-week time frame.  Despite this aggressive timetable, and as a result of the hard work and generosity of time and effort by the members of the Committee, as well as the kindness of those donating goods and services, the Auction has become one of IHM's major fundraising activities as well as a major social event for the Parish. 

For more information contact Bill O'Brien at willob62@optonline.net

Laughs for Ladies

Laughs for Ladies is IHM’s annual tricky tray and comedy show for the ladies.  It is held in early March, each year, and is an evening of food, fun, laughs, and over 200 fantastic prizes including trips, electronics, cash and much, much more!  We are proud that many consider us, “the best tricky tray around!”

Our Committee begins monthly meetings in early November, and increases to bi-weekly meetings in February.  All committee members are required to assist in the solicitation of prizes; participate in a sub-committees such as marketing and advertising, decorating, ad journal, to name a few. Just prior to the event, we spend generally two days wrapping all those wonderful prizes (includes one weekend day). All committee members assist for a few hours.  On the day of the event, all the gifts need to be transported to the venue, arranged, and displayed and the room decorated.  Committee members also assist with prize ticket sales at the event, as well as drawing the winning prize numbers. 

Laughs for Ladies is an enthusiastic and fun committee!  For more information, please contact our event co-chairs, Sharon Freer at missa24@verizon.net, or Lauren Szumita at rszumita@aol.com.  Hope you’ll come Laugh with us!

Parish Raffle

The annual IHM Parish Raffle is another of the important fundraisers for our school. The prizes vary from year to year and can range from new cars to $10,000 cash with secondary prizes of large flat screen TV’s and smaller cash awards. The drawing is usually held on Father’s Day after the 12:00 Mass in the parish gymnasium.

The committee leaders begin planning in September followed by full committee planning meetings in October and January. Committee members help to secure various retail and other locations and dates to sell tickets and then “lock in” the dates with proper authorities (store managers etc.).  In addition, committee members are responsible for recruiting, scheduling and supervising volunteers to sell at their assigned locations as well as at the Memorial Day parade, Wayne Day and after communion Masses. Most selling is done in the Spring. After the holidays committee members and other parent volunteers meet to address, stuff and mail ticket booklets. Each family in the parish receives (and is responsible for selling) two booklets of raffle tickets, school families receive four booklets.

All school families are required to volunteer for two hours for the raffle.

For more information contact co-chairs Kevin Doyle at doylekp@optonline.net. or Eric Bauer at baueeric@gmail.com 
 

Volunteer Opportunities – Other Activities

Volunteers are also needed in the following areas.  Contact the school Administrative Assistant, Geri Varachi to volunteer for any of these opportunities.

Lunch Program
Library Assistance
Chaperoning

Class Parents
Clerical
Marketing
Cultural Bithday Bash
Catholic Schools week
Hospitality

Note:  See the section on Virtus if volunteering to work with the children