For the second time in 2010, Ray Benson OPC ’69 returned to perform at PC – this time with Asleep at the Wheel, his Grammy-winning Texas swing band. Representing alumni, Balderston brothers Richard OPC ’69 (left) and Bruce OPC ’72 announced gifts-to-date by alumni, and others gave a shout-out for overseers, parents, faculty, staff and friends who made gifts or pledges.
More photos online in Penn Charter’s Flickr gallery at penncharter.com/news.
Head of School Darryl J. Ford welcomed the crowd to PC’s first Annual FUNd Party.
Most Loyal OPCs ( ( ( (
These PC graduates have made gifts to the Annual Fund every year since their graduations. What motivates this loyal giving? ( ( ( (
The loyal donor, that person who can be counted on to make a gift year in, year out, decade after decade, is a treasure. “They’re really the building blocks of giving at the school,” Director of Annual Fund Stephanie Ball said. Penn Charter is fortunate to have more than our share of donors who make consecutive gifts to the Annual Fund. Records at Timmons House show 1,087 people who have donated for 10 or more years – and 375 of those donors have made gifts for more than 25 consecutive years. Some of these longtime donors are current parents, some are former parents, and hundreds of them are OPCs. Four OPCs explain that their gifts are motivated by fond memories of the school and the faculty as well as deep respect for the education and experiences gained at Penn Charter. Sometimes, family tradition is a motivator, too.
( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( Casey Murray OPC ’89, currently vice president, North America sales and business development at SevOne, Inc., is just one of PC’s 1,087 10+-year donors. Murray attended Penn Charter for 11 years and has fond memories of the school, including winning the lacrosse state championship in a triple-overtime game against Episcopal Academy. But
even that highlight doesn’t top a moment in his kitchen. “My fondest memory of the school was fourth grade. I was so worried I’d have to go to GA because of logistical reasons for my family. But the morning I found out I could stay at Penn Charter, I was just so relieved! I had been absolutely panicked. I was very upset to have to think about it. I loved being there.” Murray had five Penn Charter graduates in his wedding. “That was an indication of how close I was to my classmates,” he said. “I give because of the friends I made and the community aspect.” Also, “it feels like the right thing to do.” continued on next page
Spring 2011 The Magazine of William Penn Charter School
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