2024 Annual Benefit
“A Decade of Champions”
October 12, 2024
6-9pm
Event held at Urban Community School
Annual Fundraising Event Supporting our Programs
“A DECADE OF CHAMPIONS”
Panel Presentation
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Celebrate with us as we honor the inspiring journey of a panel of thriving graduates returning to mark the 10th anniversary of the House of Champions program. They will share their accomplishments and highlight the invaluable skills and opportunities the program has provided them.
This marks the first year where we formally recognize organizations and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, dedication, and generosity towards our mission. These honorees embody the spirit of our mission and serve as inspirational figures within our community. Join us in celebrating their contributions and accomplishments as we express our heartfelt gratitude for their unwavering support.
HONOREES
M. F. Cachat Charitable Foundation Fund
House of Champions has thrived thanks to the substantial and ongoing support from the M. F. Cachat Charitable Fund. Their generosity has left a profound impact on our students and our community.
Established in 2016 by former executives of Lakewood-based M.F. Cachat Company—Mike Cachat, Bill Head, Ed Sherwood, Bruce Jarosz, John Mastrantoni, and Alison Azar Beckmeyer—continues their collaboration post-company sale through this Donor-Advised Fund at the Cleveland Foundation. Their goal is to tackle poverty in Greater Cleveland, drawing inspiration from M.F. Cachat's corporate culture of generosity.
William Head
William "Bill" Head concluded his notably extended tenure as the Chair of the House of Champions Board in February 2024. Since joining us in 2017, he generously shared his passion, extensive network, and expertise. Under Bill's guidance, we experienced remarkable growth, highlighted by the highly successful 2023 capital campaign, which raised an impressive $600,000+. His leadership has been instrumental in our journey, and we are immensely grateful for his dedicated service.
Bill retired from the M.F. Cachat Company where he served as the Vice President.
IN MEMORIAL: William Conkey
William "Bill" Conkey, a founding member of the House of Champions Board of Directors and a devoted supporter of our mission, passed away on January 1, 2024.
Bill retired from The Plain Dealer Publishing Co. after 40 years of service. After retirement, he pursued his passion for photography, establishing a small business that included capturing all of the graduating class portraits. His enduring commitment to The St. Vincent DePaul Society for over fifty years exemplifies his profound generosity. We deeply appreciate Bill's pivotal role in helping launching this vital program, and his memory will forever inspire us.
Opened in 2013, House of Champions is a tuition-free, after-school program set in a nurturing, home-like environment specifically designed to benefit the highest need children in grades 2 to 4 attending Urban Community School and Metro Catholic School.
GOAL
To address the gap in critical skills development among our community's inner-city youth living in poverty to best achieve their individual potential, school success and path to a better future.
APPROACH
Behavior: Improve Social Emotional Learning
Ensure each child develops appropriate social skills, self- esteem, and respectful communication.
Education: Strengthen Academic Achievement
Provide tutoring and homework assistance to enable each child to succeed in the classroom.
Food Insecurity: Provide Healthy Meals
Meet the dietary needs of the children by providing nutritious snacks and meals during the school year.
Thrive: Foster Skills for Success in Life
Develop and improve confidence, communication, cooperation, problem-solving, empathy, and soft-skills/personal interaction skills.
WHY
Youth in poverty, like those in our program, often lack opportunities for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at home, in school, and in their communities. This absence of SEL opportunities correlates with lower academic engagement, higher dropout rates, and increased reliance on public aid. Implementing SEL programs, especially during elementary years, not only benefits students but also teachers and the community, yielding significant long-term savings by reducing the need for costly interventions.
The House of Champions intervenes during these crucial early years, setting students on a positive life path and breaking the cycle of poverty by equipping them with essential skills and support for academic and personal success.
Sponsorship Levels
PRESENTING
$10,000
Provides 6 months of program for 2 Champions
10 TICKETS - 2 TABLES
- Reserved Seating
- Special presentation/recognition at event
- Stage signage
- Spotlight post of social media
- Logo on event signage
- Recognition on all event materials, website, social media
SUPER STAR
$5,000
Provides 6 months of program for 1 Champion
8 TICKETS
- Reserved Seating
- Verbal recognition at event
- Stage signage
- Spotlight post of social media
- Logo on event signage
- Recognition on all event materials, website, social media
SHINING STAR
$3,000
Provides 4 months of program for 1 Champion
6 TICKETS
- Reserved Seating
- Stage signage
- Spotlight post of social media
- Logo on event signage
- Recognition on all event materials, website, social media
BRIGHT STAR
$1,500
Provides 2 months of program for 1 Champions
4 TICKETS
- Reserved Seating
- Logo on event signage
- Recognition on all event materials, website, social media
FUTURE STAR
$500
2 TICKETS
- Recognition on all event materials, website, social media
Sponsorship Benefits
1
Impact on Children in Poverty: Your sponsorship directly supports children stuck in the cycle of poverty, who are often the most overlooked and deserving of assistance.
2
Equitable Opportunity for Every Child: With your sponsorship, we can ensure that no child is left behind and that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the resources they need.
3
Building Brighter Futures: Together, we can help children in need build the skills to navigate everyday challenges and pave a path to success.
