Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School held its annual Sterling Evening dinner and auction last month netting $186,779 to support the continued operation of the school. This was the first time the auction was held during the school year since the onset of the COVID pandemic.
More than 300 people attended the evening, which featured approximately 501 silent and live auction items. The meal was catered by Carlyle IGA and the costs covered by an anonymous donor, thereby allowing all ticket proceeds to go to the benefit of the school. CORLHS students served as dinner hosts and provided dinner music to set a festive atmosphere.
“Twenty years ago, Christ Our Rock was a dream. That dream has become a vibrant school with great community support, as demonstrated tonight. What a wonderful blessing!” said Don Duensing, principal and executive director of Christ Our Rock.
Transportation was the target of this year’s Fund-A-Project, with money received to go toward the maintenance, repair and/or replacement of the school’s two vans and two buses. A total of $60,000 was raised, which will be doubled thanks to a generous matching grant from Maschhoff’s, Inc;, of Carlyle.
Tuition covers a little less than half of the annual operating costs of the school. The remainder is covered by association congregations, generous benefactors, a multitude of smaller contributions, and the success of events such as the Sterling Evening.
Additional Major Sponsors were BJ Robert, Bobby Hemminghaus, Arbeter-Palm, Hoffman Seed House, Carl and Sharon Hanke, Mildred and Jerry Rakers, Edward Toon, Edwin and Verdell Hermsmeyer, and Gulf Coast Community Foundation
