An Open Roof and Open Hearts

July 11, 2022

Article from our 2022 Summer Fulcrum News

Fulcrum’s 20th Anniversary Celebration of Light was a triumph! Held at T-Mobile Park on May 20, the fundraising gala raised $2.9 million in support of Catholic education in Western Washington. 

“We cannot express how grateful we are to everyone who supported Fulcrum at the Celebration of Light,” said Vivian Shannon, executive director of Fulcrum. “Your generosity is an inspiration to us all. You are the reason we can do this important work!” 

Following the 2021 virtual gala, this year’s Celebration of Light brought Fulcrum donors together for an in-person celebration. The event commemorated Fulcrum’s 20 extraordinary years supporting Catholic education. Since its founding in 2002, Fulcrum has disbursed over $65 million in funds to increase access to Catholic education. 

The gala was attended by many long-time Fulcrum donors as well as new faces like Bishop Frank Schuster. Archbishop Paul D. Etienne could not attend the event, but sent his best wishes for a successful evening. 

“I was disappointed that I was not able to attend this year, but the change of dates led to a conflict. Please know that my heart and my prayers were with everyone in the stadium that night,” said the archbishop. 

Fulcrum honored all archdiocesan teachers, staff, and administrators with the prestigious Archbishop’s Award. Teachers and staff from across the archdiocese were invited to attend a special event on the Club Level of the baseball park during the fundraiser. 

“I especially want to recognize the Catholic school administrators, staff, and teachers who received the annual Archbishop’s Award from Fulcrum,” said Archbishop Etienne. “It is a richly deserved honor and a fitting way to recognize the hard work and sacrifice of our school employees who contributed to our community throughout the pandemic.” 

“It’s been extraordinary to look at what we have all accomplished together, but as we look to what lies ahead in the immediate future, our work has only just begun,” said Tony Audino, chair of Fulcrum’s Board of Trustees. “We still have so much more to do as we look to Fulcrum’s next 20 years and beyond.”