News-Miner Editorial
Supporting schools
HIPOW auction provides for local institution
Published Friday, October 10, 2008
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Stumble It!One of Alaska’s most enjoyable and successful fundraising auctions began Thursday evening and will continue through Saturday, all for the benefit of the local Catholic school system.
The annual “Happiness is Paying Our Way” auction has enjoyed enormous support throughout the years, not only from the large Catholic community in Fairbanks but also from residents who subscribe to other, all or no denominations. As the organizers note, the Saturday black-tie dinner has evolved into “the” social event of the year.
Tonight’s auction, as with Thursday’s, are more casual affairs open to all those with an interest in both contributing to the local Catholic schools and finding some interesting, affordable items for sale. Those criteria encompass most of Fairbanks in one way or another, so hundreds of people can be found perusing the auction items at the school gymnasium off Illinois Street.
While one can find just about anything at the auctions, from autos to apparel, HIPOW traditionally has offered works by some of the best artists in the state. This year’s featured artist, sponsored by Mt. McKinley Bank, is Fairbanksan David Mollett. In “Bending Birches,” Mollett uses his distinctive painting style to interpret a common woodland scene recognizable around Fairbanks since the early fall snowstorm of 1992.
The local Catholic schools have about 450 students and date back more than 60 years, making them the largest and oldest such institutions in the state. HIPOW has been helping pay their way for more than half that time. The late Rev. Frank McGuigan created the event in 1970 and helped make it into the largest single fund-raising event for the schools during his 30 years on the job.
Fairbanksans have shown their support year after year through avid attendance at the HIPOW auction. That generosity should continue this year and into the future.
Community Discussion
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A good reason why parents should have their choice and the voucher system should be put in place. If you want the people to have control, let them decide where the tax money for their child's education is spent.
We, the public, have a school system. If you want to opt out of it, pay your own way in full, don't ask me to help pay for it. Sorry to sound so callous, but in my opinion private schools are elitist, foster a false sense or superiority, and teach a curriculum limited to a narrow focus of intellent and ideals. Most of the graduates in my opinion, don't have the big picture. Give me public school graduates any day. Just my opinion of course. Pay the teachers dammit.
Moondoggie, I agree.
Let the public determine by consumership which they consider the best for their money. The public school system would most likely come out the loser. It is time to reform it and provide students with an education that allow them to compete in the world. Even third world countries have more school days than Fairbanks.
THE REAL STORY - The catholic schools run this promotion every year implying that without your contribution and participation they are broke. In reality, they have quite a fund and mislead folks so as to further increase their trust fund.
While their actions are not illegal IT IS SURE MISLEADING. The foundation has plenty of money - maybe they should have public disclosure. On second thought all non profits have to file tax returns with the Federal government - these returns are accessible to the public (?) pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Possibly the news miner will gather this information and disclose the details.
Put out the source of your info, or shut up Zet!
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