Mardi Gras in Memphis Sponsorships

Most people know that the Jubilee Schools will close after the 2018-19 school year. Many people have stopped supporting Jubilee Schools since the closure was announced. There is one huge problem with this; we still have two months left in this school year, and all of next year before we close our doors.

WE NEED YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

One great method of supporting the Jubilee Schools is through event sponsorships!

In this blog, I want to focus on the great people in our community who sponsored Mardi Gras in Memphis. For every fundraising event we host, sponsors make the events profitable. Money generated at an event generally pays for that event. In other words, events pay for themselves. Sponsorships is how an event generates revenue.

For Mardi Gras in Memphis, the Jubilee development office set a goal of raising $20,000 in sponsorships, and a stretch goal of $30,000. With lots of hard work and through the generosity of our donors, we reached the stretch goal of $30,000 in sponsorships for the Mardi Gras in Memphis!

Blue Streak Scholarship Fund was our double platinum sponsor! Even though this is the last Jubilee event Blue Streak plans to sponsor, they have donated over $1 million in support of Jubilee students. Blue Streak was formed in 2003 for the sole purpose of supporting the Jubilee Schools. The Blue Streak board members are currently re-writing their mission and figuring out where to throw their support.

Billy and Gayle Posey, through Greystone & Co., Inc. were platinum level sponsors. Billy is a graduate of Memphis Catholic and has supported the Jubilee students for so many years in so many ways. They have sponsored every event we have had since I have been with Memphis Catholic. They usually don't wait to for me to ask before offering support. We can never thank Billy and Gayle enough for their support.

Boyle Investment Company (Gold Level) have increased their support of the Jubilee School over the last three years. Their support helps many of our families with tuition assistance. If not for great companies such as Boyle, families could not afford a Jubilee education. Thank you to everyone at Boyle Investment Company especially the Boyle and Morgan families for their philanthropic work in our community and their desire to make a positive difference in the lives of our children.

Independent Bank (Gold Level) has sponsored the Jubilee Schools through Blue Streak for more years than I can remember. Frank Stuppy is my contact at I-Bank. You will not find a nicer person. He really cares for the Jubilee students, and wants what's best for our young scholars. Because of Frank, I-Bank is willing to support our students and our schools. I-Bank is constantly working to make a different in the lives of our students and in our community. Thank you Independent Bank!

Presto-X Pest Control (Gold Level) is one of our new event sponsors. Not only did they sponsor this event, but they had their folks out at the Mardi Gras in Memphis representing their company all day Saturday and Sunday. They are super nice people and supportive of the Jubilee Schools. If you are looking for a pest control company, contact Edward Minier at edward.minier@prestox.com or 888-759-2307. We are very thankful for their support.

Jimmy McElroy & Associates (Silver Level) sponsored the Taste of Jubilee last year and Mardi Gras in Memphis this year. They were our musical stage sponsor as well this year. We would like to thank Jimmy McElroy, Joseph Fox (Memphis Catholic '82), and Marcelle Nia for their continued support of the Jubilee students and the work taking place in our schools. Their support makes us better for our students.

Juice Plus (Silver Level) is a regular Jubilee sponsor. They have sponsored the schools through Blue Streak as well. Juice Plus sponsors the 5K, golf tournament, Wings of Jubilee, and now Mardi Gras in Memphis. Talk about wanting to improve our students and community, Juice Plus is doing something about it. Thank you Juice Plus and Paulo Teixeira for your kindness and generosity in support of the students of the Jubilee Schools.

Bank3 (Bronze Level) has really come to the support of Jubilee Schools since they opened their bank in Memphis. Banc3 sponsored our golf tournament, Wings of Jubilee, 5K, and Education That Works internship program. Now, they also sponsored Mardi Gras in Memphis. We would like to thank our great friends at Bank3 especially Frank Cianciola and Scott Hauss for taking a chance on our students. That chance has very much benefitted the Jubilee students especially the Memphis Catholic students interning at Bank3. Thank you Bank3.

Baptist Memorial Health Care (Bronze Level) has been a long running supporter of Memphis Catholic and Education That Works. They have sponsored the 5K for years and several interns every year. Now, they sponsored Mardi Gras in Memphis. Thank you to Cynthia Allen and the great people at Baptist Memorial Health Care for supporting the students of Memphis Catholic and the Jubilee Schools. You put the children first and we thank you for your love and kindness.

Michael & Silvia Hecht (Bronze Level) have supported the students of the Jubilee Schools since 2003 when Blue Streak first began. Their involvement began when they supported families at Holy Names Catholic School in North Memphis. Every year since, they have answered the call to help the children in giving those in need a better future. Michael has also been very instrumental in the Jubilee Schools receiving support from Juice Plus. Michael and Silvia have been incredible friends of the Jubilee Schools. For what they have done, we can never repay. Thank you!

Little Caesars (Bronze Level) has supported the Jubilee School since 2004-05 when they began helping Holy Names. Now, they support Our Lady of Sorrows, sponsor Education That Works at Memphis Catholic, and sponsor every event that the Jubilee Schools host. Marty and Julie Mathews have been our friends and have helped to improve the lives of many in our community. Our students and teachers benefit greatly from their support. Thank you Little Caesars!

Thank you to Pediatric Dental Group (Bronze Level) for sponsoring Mardi Gras in Memphis! John and Terry Acosta (Memphis Catholic '80) support many of our events and Education That Works. We can always count on their support to help the students. The most important work PDG does for our students is through mentorship in Education That Works. Their work has been a motivational factor in promoting academic excellence in our students in both high school and college. Thank you PDG for your support!

The Wharton Law Firm (Bronze Level) is Memphis Catholic! André Wharton, Alexander Wharton, and Monte Flowers are all graduates of Memphis Catholic. Mrs. Ruby Wharton is a strong believer and supporter of Catholic education. The Whartons sponsor most every event that  takes place at Memphis Catholic. They not only support, they participate. Thanks to The Wharton Law Fire for their many, many years of support including Education That Works.

Balfour/Commemorative Brands, Inc. (Copper Level) sponsors many of our events especially the annual 5K. Doug Kearney has a passion for Memphis Catholic and is always available to help the school. In my time with the Jubilee Schools, he has been one of the most consistent sponsors of our events especially if it has to do with Memphis Catholic. Thank you Balfour and Doug Kearney for your sponsorship!

Nexus Exxon (Copper Level) on the corner of Poplar and McLean has been a 5K sponsor for several years. We are good customers of Nexus Exxon so they support us. That's a nice partnership to have. So, if you are in the Midtown area and you need to fill-up on gas, snacks, or beverages, shop at Nexus Exxon and thank them for supporting Memphis Catholic and the Jubilee Schools.

Pendergrast Insurance (Copper Level) has also sponsored the Memphis Catholic 5K for several years. Jody and Cindy Pendergrast are wonderful supporters. You will find Cindy on campus every Monday and Wednesday morning for Mass. Looking for an insurance agent, contact Jody at (901) 507-7046 or jody@pcrins.com. Thank you to Pendergrast Insurance for your sponsorship!

Piretti Home and Garden (Copper Level) are relatively new sponsors of Jubilee events. They sponsored our golf tournament in the fall and now the Mardi Gras in Memphis. Richard is a former student of mine. When I contacted him about sponsoring Jubilee events, he didn't hesitate to help. For your home and garden needs, contact Richard at (901) 870-1679 or pirettihomeandgarden@gmail.com. Thanks again for sponsoring another Jubilee event!

Cargill (Copper Level) is a first time sponsor of Jubilee events. Thank you for helping our students and investing in their future.

Junior Achievement (Chrome Level) is another first time sponsor. We love our new and recurring sponsors. We need both in order to reach our goals and provide the best we can for our students. Thank you Sarah McDonald and JA for your help in making a positive difference.

Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum: MMBC (Chrome Level) is yet another first time sponsor of Jubilee events. We thank you for supporting our students!

Patrick Rassi (Chrome Level) is a fantastic friend of the Jubilee Schools and a good Lebanese friend of mine. Patrick has supported the Jubilee Schools for some time now and wants the students to have a successful future. I asked him to sponsor Mardi Gras in Memphis and he did. Thanks Patrick!

Soccer Olé (Chrome Level) has sponsored just about more Jubilee events than anyone else. Rogerio and Simone Lima are great friends who want what is best for the children. We cannot thank them enough for their recurring support and their kind hearts.

Thank you to all our sponsors! You are greatly appreciated and much needed. You are helping to make our students and schools better. Please continue to sponsor our events!

Our next event is the Wings of Jubilee on Saturday, September 29th from 12-5pm at Memphis Catholic. My wing cooking team is ready!

God bless you,
Didier Aur

Bringing Us Together Through Golf

Every year, many of us participate in a number of charity golf scrambles. I usually team up with my brothers and some close friends. I like to play golf, but what I really appreciate is spending time on the golf course with my brothers and friends while playing golf. Golf is what brings us together. Any chance I get to participate in a golf scramble, I'll do my best to be there if for no other reason than just to get together with family and friends.

Last week, we hosted the 13th Annual Memphis Catholic/Education That Works Golf Tournament at Irene Golf and Country Club. Instead of playing this year, I had the privilege of driving a beverage and snack cart around the course. I enjoyed it because I got the opportunity to meet everyone who participated in the tournament and to see some good and sometimes comical golf.

We host this event because it is a Fun-Raiser; it is a fun way of raising funds for Memphis Catholic. We need to raise money in order to do the best we can in providing our students the best education possible.

Our sponsors bring in the bulk of the funds raised. We focused this year on bringing in new sponsors to this event instead of soliciting our usual donors. We can drink from the same well too often. Don't want the wells to go dry. We were able to bring in many new sponsors for the tournament plus eight restaurants that provided all the prizes.

The company that probably sponsors more of our events than any other is Greystone. Billy Posey is a proud graduate of Catholic High as well as a Hall of Fame member. Greystone is also a supporter and promoter of the Education That Works program at Memphis Catholic. Every year, four Memphis Catholic students intern at Greystone. Billy and Greystone are improving the lives of many of our students as well is making our community a better place to live. We are all better for having Greystone's support.

Pediatric Dental Group (PDG) is another local business that supports everything we do including the 5K, golf tournament, and Education That Works.  John and Terry Acosta (Terry is a Memphis Catholic graduate) sponsor through PDG and personally. You would be hard pressed to find two nicer people. The Acosta and Aur families have been very close since the 90's with our kids started playing soccer together.

Health Choice has once again stepped up to sponsor our golf tournament. They also sponsored the Memphis Catholic 5K. We are very grateful to Mitch Graves and his team at Health Choice for investing in our students.

Michael and Silvia Hecht have been supporting the Jubilee Schools since 2002 when I was the principal of Holy Names. If there is a Jubilee event, Michael and Silvia are there to help. Wish we all had hearts as big as their's. I have known Michael since our teenage years out on the soccer field.

Neil Heins, owner of Neil's Grille and Bar and a member of the Memphis Catholic Hall of Fame, is always there to support the school be it the 5K, Wings of Jubilee, or golf tournament. He is proud of his alma mater and wants to invest in the future of our students.

Some of our newest sponsors include:

Danny Burke of Crye-Leike Realtors: Danny and I were classmates at CBHS. His father was a member of Catholic High Class of 1950. He sponsored because he wants to pay back the good he received while growing up. We could all use some help and Danny wants to provide the help we sometime need.

John Snyder, Managing Director of SVN/Investec Realty Services: John and I have spent many hours on the soccer field together; John was refereeing and I was getting yellow carded. John currently serves as the president of the Tennessee State Soccer Association and is a member of the East Memphis Rotary Club.



Richard Piretti, Jr of Piretti Home and Garden: Richard is a former student and soccer player of mine at CBHS. It is great seeing him support the education of our students. He is a fantastic young man.

Bryan Shaver, Vice President of Sales for Insurance Consulting Group, Inc.: If there is a Catholic (not just Memphis Catholic) event going on, you will find Bryan there in support. Thanks Bryan for supporting Memphis Catholic and Blue Streak Scholarship Fund.


Dr. Carl Schulter of Dental Implant Aesthetic Center: Dr. Schulter appeared out of the blue to support our golf tournament. We sent him a letter and he said yes. Dr. Schulter could not have been any nicer.

Dr. Bill Terrell of Memphis & Shelby County Pediatric Group: Dr. Terrell is also a member of the Memphis Catholic Hall of Fame. He could not participate in the tournament this year so he decided to sponsor it instead.

We received a special treat this year from Jerry Melton at Principle Toyota. He sponsored three hole-in-ones at the event including the chance to win a brand new Toyota Camry for the person who could sink a hole-in-one on number 4 at Irene. One person came within 10-feet but unfortunately, no one won the car.

Here is a great example of non-profit organizations helping each other. We have four students in the ETW program interning at JA. As a thanks to Memphis Catholic, JA has helped sponsor our golf tournament. We have a great relationship with JA, which will only continue to grow even stronger.

The team prizes for the tournament are all restaurant gift certificates.  We receive great support from the wonderful, hard-working restaurant folks. Our go-to restaurants are Bangkok Alley, Celtic Crossing, and Dino's Grill.

Thara & Dottie (Cull) Burana are owners of Bangkok Alley. Dottie is a graduate of Immaculate Conception. Her brothers are all graduates of Catholic High. Bangkok Alley has supported every Jubilee School event I can think of. They want what's best for the children and our community. My wife and I enjoy their outdoor dining at Brookhaven Circle. Great place to go to relax and unwind.

D.J. & Jamie Naylor are owners of Celtic Crossing. In my opinion, they serve
up the best fish and chips in town. Just like the Buranas, the Naylors support everything we do for the Jubilee Schools. They are very philanthropic folks and great friends to all. If you want to learn more about D.J. and Jamie, listen to them on cityCURRENT radio show. http://citycurrent.com/blogdetails/408/Radio-Show-Celtic-Crossing

Rudy Grisanti, owner of Dino's Grill, is a graduate of Catholic High. Rudy and his son, Mario, help us at all of our events. Mario is also a former student and soccer player of mine at CBHS. Dino's has some of the best lunch specials you will find in Mid-Town. Mario makes the best Tiramisu you'll ever eat!

Edward Cabigao, operating partner and co-owner of Interim, S.O.B. (South of Beale), and Zaka Bowl provided gift certificates from these three restaurants. I'm looking forward to dining at Zaka Bowl because I have not been there yet. Interim and SOB are both awesome restaurants

Our neighbors around the corner from Memphis Catholic, Frank,
Hazel, and Eric Vernon at The Bar-B-Q Shop also provided gift certificates for the winners. You've got to try their barbecue spaghetti but don't wear a white dress shirt when you do. I've made that mistake before. It was worth it.

Scott Smith at Holiday Deli & Ham Co. on Erin Drive also stepped up to support the golf tournament. Most of my planning meetings take place at that location so it was a nice way for Scott to thank us for the business we bring his way.

Our golf tournament not only brought together a lot of golfers but also a lot of local businesses in support of the work we do at Memphis Catholic. It takes a lot of great folks coming together to make our community better. Golf is just one means of bringing us together.

Thank you to all those who supported our 13th Annual Memphis Catholic/Education That Works Golf Tournament. Please support those great folks who support us. Together, our students learn and our community grows.

If you missed out on the tournament but want to support Memphis Catholic and Education that Works, click below to go to our donation page. You are the reason we can offer our students a better tomorrow.

Support Memphis Catholic

God bless you,
Didier Aur