Annual Appeal

What is the Annual Appeal?

“The fragrance of a rose remains in the hand of its giver
long after the flower has been passed.”

Dear Friend:

Someone recently conducted a survey of retirement home residents. “Do you have any regrets?” they were asked. Here’s what they said:

• First, they wished they’d spent more time loving people.
• Second, they wished they’d taken more risks.
• Third, they wished they’d done some good that would last forever.

Anything you can do for Archbishop Williams High School will last forever. Its fragrance will never leave your hands. Young lives will be changed. An eternity of tomorrows will be brighter because your gift will be their sun. You owe us nothing. Please give more than you owe. Join us for a friend-raiser event. Contribute to a fundraiser activity.

Your caring donation to our Annual Appeal helps us enhance and strengthen the programs and services we provide our students, meet current operating expenses, and maintain our physical facilities.

Whether you give or not, know that you will be part of the fabric, fiber, and family of our school forever -- simply because of all you have already given of yourself.

Sincerely,
Carmen Mariano, Ed.D ‘64
President

The Annual Appeal Campaign

is made up of annual gifts from the above mentioned constituents. The unrestricted funds are added to the general fund of the school's budget for use in:

Meeting current operating expenses

Maintaining the physical plant, and

Enhancing the student programs and services

Traditionally, strong institutions have strong Annual Appeals. Catholic secondary schools should be no different than any other school, college or university. An annual gift to the operating budget is a tangible vote of confidence in our school's total program.

Tell me more!

The Annual Appeal is part of the Development program at Archbishop Williams High School. Key alumni called Class Agents work with the development office to coordinate the internal operations of the campaign by organizing mailings, phonathons, special events and communications. The Annual Appeal is built on a fiscal year basis. The solicitation of gifts begins in the fall, and all gifts recorded on or before June 30th will be credited for that fiscal year. Opportunities to give will be available through "snail" mail, phone or personal contact.

Ways to Give

• Cash/Credit
  Gifts of cash make funds available for immediate use, and are fully tax-deductible for donors who itemize deductions.
• Matching Gifts
  Many businesses and corporations match their employees’ gifts to educational institutions. Please check with your human resources department to see whether your company offers such a program.
• Pledges
  Pledges allow you to make a commitment to be paid over a period of time based on an agreed upon schedule of payments.
• Planned Giving read more

What are Giving Societies

Giving Societies are a method or approach to securing a number of gifts at all levels. If our Annual Appeal is to be successful, we believe it must reflect the balance between leadership gifts and broad participation. These various societies were formed to encourage donors to feel a sense of affinity with Archbishop Williams as members of a particular society while also hoping they may increase their gifts. Through heightened recognition, they give our generous donors a sense of belonging to something special. Our Current Societies are leveled as follows.

Why Me?

The simple answer to this question is twofold. First, Archbishop Williams High School is worth your additional investment! Second, Archbishop Williams needs you to make a difference in the lives of our current students. If you would like to receive more information or have additional questions about the Annual Appeal, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at: 781-843-3610 or email Director of Institutional Advancement Mary Tiernan at mtiernan@awhs.org.

Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much. " – Helen Keller

Dear Fellow Alumni,

If you have yet to contribute to this year’s Annual Appeal, I certainly understand. Before I became president of Archbishop Williams High School, I missed many of them, too.

Times are tough, money is tight and annual gifts are often the first place to cut back. Your college alma mater asks for your help, as do many other worthy causes.

The question is: Why Give to Us?

This is a special time of change and need for AWHS. We are at a crossroads and we must grow to survive. Maintaining the status quo means we are moving backward. Traditionally, strong institutions have strong Annual Appeals. Catholic secondary schools should be no different than any other school, college or university. When you make an annual gift to the operating budget, it is a tangible vote of confidence in your school's total program.

You are part of a growing group of 8,000 alumni of Archbishop Williams High School. As of April 2009, more than 400 alumni have given, and that's a good start. Your annual gift will help to expand and enhance vital programs and services for our students, cover operating expenses and upkeep of our physical facilities. Please help us move forward at this pivotal crossroads with your annual gift. In truth, you owe us nothing. Please give us more than you owe.

My sincere thanks,

Dr. Carmen Mariano ’64
President