St. Kevin School and Hendricken are partnering at the end of April for a head to head fundraiser weekend. On Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30 the two Catholic schools will share a venue and caterer for some of their largest annual fundraisers.

St. Kevin’s 19th Annual Spring Auction will be that Friday and have numerous auctions both silent and live with a sitdown dinner. In past years the auction has seen upwards of 250 people and raised $38,000. Proceeds from the event will go to establishing a technology fund to update the school’s technology as well as offsetting general operating costs. This allows the school to keep tuition low and keep costs low for families.

The For the Boys Gala, which will be the following Saturday, will also feature auctions, cocktails, a sitdown dinner and a presentation from students current and past on how Hendricken has helped them and they have benefited from a Catholic education in what President John Jackson calls a “mission moment.” All proceeds from the event go towards scholarships and tuition assistance for Hendricken students. In the past the event has raised $140,000 for tuition assistance.

“This money directly helps those families that desire the experience of a Catholic education, but may not have the means to afford it on their own,” Jackson said. “Any family that desires a catholic education should be able to receive it, despite their finances.”

He said that it is a struggle every day and every year to provide students with tuition assistance, but the “struggle is well worth it.”

Jackson said the two schools share a very similar mission, to provide students with a good education and bring them closer to God, so it only made sense to “piggyback” the two fundraisers.

Nicole LeMay, co-chair of the St. Kevin Spring Auction, said the school was immediately receptive to the idea of sharing venue costs.

“By splitting the cost of the venue both schools can raise more money. For St. Kevin’s we really want to see our technology improve, to keep us on the cutting edge.”

Although this is the first time the two schools are collaborating with the fundraisers, both Hendricken and St. Kevin School work together throughout the school year.

Now, many St. Kevin students participate in Hendricken’s newest 8th grade program, but previously many of the younger students take part in Hendricken theatre, musical groups and summer camps. Similarly, teachers can often partner together as well

“We are able to show kids what they need to do to prep for a high school education,” Jackson said.

LeMay said, “There is a true sense of community. There is a real sense of family between the schools.”

St. Kevin’s 19th Annual Spring Auction will be on Friday, April 29 beginning at 6 p.m. and running until 10 p.m. The event will take place at Hendricken under a tent on the baseball field. Tickets are $50 and available at St. Kevin’s website, www.saintkevinschool.com.

Hendricken’s Annual For the Boys Gala will be Saturday, April 30 beginning at 6 p.m. and running until 11 p.m. The event will take place at Hendricken 2615 Warwick Ave., under a tent on the baseball field. Tickets are $125 and available on the Hendricken website, www.hendricken.com.

Both events will be catered by Morins Catering.