Every year, when the St. Anthony Schools Annual Fund appeal goes out, something remarkable happens. Alumni from across the country — people who walked these same halls, sat in these same classrooms, and grew in faith within this same community — respond. They give. And because of that generosity, St. Anthony Schools continue to thrive.
The Annual Fund is the backbone of day-to-day school operations. Alongside tuition and parish support, it ensures that students have the materials, safe facilities, and enriching experiences that define a St. Anthony education. But more than the dollars, it represents something deeper: a living chain of commitment, passed from one generation of Bulldogs to the next.
For many alumni donors, giving back is rooted in gratitude — and in faith.
“For me, giving back to the grade school and high school is so important because it brings not only the next generation into a great academic society, but I think it also brings children back into the church as well,” says Christo Schultz, Class of 2011.
That sentiment resonates across graduating classes. Alumni who may have moved far from Effingham still find themselves drawn back — not just in memory, but in investment.
“We continue to give to the annual fund because we get back often enough that we see the benefit,” reflects Mike Kabbes, Class of 1974. “We see what good people are coming from St. Anthony schools — from an educational standpoint, from a spiritual standpoint.”
It is that dual mission — academic excellence grounded in Catholic faith — that distinguishes a St. Anthony education and keeps alumni connected long after graduation day.
“I think if you look at students sitting in the pews, you’ll continue to be inspired by these amazing young men and women who are willing to be completely changed by the person of Jesus Christ,” notes Ian Harris, Class of 2016. “That’s all made possible because we all have an active role in the school system.”
For many, the decision to give comes down to a simple but powerful reflection on priorities.
“You’ve worked hard. You’ve saved. And now you obviously feel like you want to give back as well,” says Jerry Hecht, Class of 1982. “I pray and think about what’s going to impact the future the most. I feel education is a great impact on the future of our community and our families. So that’s where I want to give.”
St. Anthony is grateful for every alumnus who chooses to invest in the next generation of Bulldogs — and that investment takes many forms. Whether you support our schools through your prayers, your time and talents as a volunteer, or your financial gift to the Annual Fund, you are part of something that matters deeply. Your dedication makes a difference not just in a classroom or on an athletic field, but in the lives of young men and women who will carry this community’s faith and values out into the world. Thank you.
We invite you to make a difference in the lives of St. Anthony Students.
To learn more about how you can support the mission of the St. Anthony Schools Annual Fund, visit highschool.stanthony.com/annual-fund or call (217) 347-7129.
