Donor assists students

The second annual Beacon of Hope Scholarship Fund Breakfast, held last week, raised $68,655 in pledges to support deserving children enrolled in Catholic schools.

That amount exceeds last year's inaugural success story of $62,000 in donations to what was then a new scholarship program. The pledges will allow the Diocese of Albany to provide tuition assistance over three years to another 15 students.

The breakfast, sponsored by Bank of America, was attended by more than 150 people.

Students aided

In 2007, the Catholic School Office received 240 applications for the first round of Beacon of Hope Scholarship awards.

Donations from the breakfast, subsequent pledges, other support and a gala event last spring combined to aid 30 needy students; each received $1,500 annual scholarships.

Sister Jane Herb, IHM, superintendent of schools for the Albany Diocese, said, "Our greatest challenge is that, for many families, financial access is the only obstacle in the way" of a child attending a Catholic school.

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard observed, "All of those families need and deserve assistance."

Recipient

At the breakfast, a video told the story of a single mother, Daniela Britos of Brunswick, who has overcome difficult times to send her three children to Catholic schools.

She told of how her own sacrifices and the Beacon of Hope Scholarship awarded one of her daughters made the difference in allowing her to also send her youngest child to Our Lady of Victory School in Troy.

Bishop Hubbard explained, "In addition to their evident financial struggles, the common sentiment amongst all of this past year's applicants -- regardless or race, gender or religion -- was the passionate expression of hope, faith and happiness their children receive at Catholic schools, where they are enveloped in the loving message of Jesus Christ, and surrounded and supported by the extended school family, all while receiving the highest quality education possible.

"To them, the sacrifices they make to send their children to a Catholic school are worth it."

(10/04/07)