Volunteer Feature

We can’t believe it’s been over 30 years since our journey with Eastside Catholic School began. As we refl ect on our time at EC, it has become clear that committing to sending our children to the school and getting involved in the EC community has been a beautiful gift to our family.

Thirty years ago, we had our home in Newport Hills and discussed the options of Catholic grade school and high school, as Catholic education played a very important role in my upbringing in Portland, Oregon. With our parish, St. Madeleine Sophie, not having a grade school and transportation to other schools being a challenge, we enrolled our boys in public school. When Eastside Catholic moved four blocks from our home, it was clear that God was opening up an opportunity for the gift of Catholic education to our family.

The second event that infl uenced our decision happened when Jerry was coaching our boy’s Renton Park basketball teams and went to pick up our older son from practice. A dad (Terry Flanagan) put together an AAU basketball team for EC. Jerry came home and said, “You probably won’t be interested in our boys playing for EC because they’re already playing on two teams.” At that point, I saw another door open and immediately said, “Sign them up.” I didn’t care if they played twice a day, seven days a week, if that got us closer to sending our boys to EC. No surprise, Jerry’s interest increased.

As a result of these experiences, in 1991, our son Jason enrolled at EC. Our family was excited to join a welcoming community where parents were encouraged to get involved. And that we did! Jerry joined the Booster Club, Jeff ’96 enrolled in 1992 and Patrick ’00 in 1995, and I served on the board of trustees from 1993-1999. These were wonderful years of incorporating Catholic teachings into our family values.

In late 1999, a call came from our friend John Luger saying that he and Donna had just sold the family business and that now was the time that “we” were going to lead the efforts to build a new school. That process led to forming a Permanence Committee, and I was honored to be a part of it. A group of highly-motivated

Our EC Life

BY MARY ANNE D’AMBROSIO

Emeriti, EC grandparent and alumni parent

professionals met monthly for the next nine years, working diligently and devoting their talents toward all that goes into such an enormous project. The campaign for the new facility was led by our school president and many dedicated individuals who worked together to make this dream come true. I also joined the EC Advancement Department to work on the campaign efforts.

After the new campus was completed, I left my position at the school in 2009. In 2014, I was invited and accepted to serve on the board of trustees again. It was another rewarding experience in my long association with the school.

Our children have been blessed by their experiences at EC. Our son Patrick married his high school sweetheart, Kelly Shaw ’00, in 2006 and our son Jeff taught in the Options Program and coached basketball for fi ve years. We now have the privilege of being EC

grandparents with Jeff and Megan’s son Nick, a sophomore, and their daughter Kate who will begin at EC next year. Jason lives in Portland and he and Kenzie have had their three children, Blake, Sam and Reese, benefit from Catholic educations.

Because of their EC experience, we are very proud that our children and their families have made Catholic education a priority. Our hopes are that our four youngest grandchildren, Lauren, Jane, Ben and Alex will be future Crusaders.

We have loved being involved with Eastside Catholic and have been blessed by the school’s gift to our family. We look forward to continuing our involvement in the years ahead.

Make Your Gift Today!

We truly appreciate the dedication and generosity of our community. Every gift to Eastside Catholic School has a profound impact on our students’ experience, regardless of its size.

Your gift helps to:

• Accelerate STEM education through innovation and technology

• Support faculty professional development and training

• Invest in students through tuition assistance

• Elevate performing and visual arts

Thank you!

Donate online at eastsidecatholic.org/give or call 425-295-3060