Storm Lake St. Mary School event raises funds for bus

Storm Lake St. Mary’s Catholic School raised a generous amount at their “Denim & Diamonds” Ball and Charity Auction at Buena Vista University, raising $277,600 for the school and a new school bus. The March 8 event included a room full of guests, donors, teachers and staff, who bid and donated generously.
 
The money from ticket sales, big raffle tickets, the silent auction, and the live auctions all fund the school’s general fund for day-to-day operations. The event also raises money each year for a specific “Fund-A-Cause." This year’s fund-a-cause is to fund a new school bus. 
 
Chairs of the 2025 Ball and Charity Auction were Dave & Melissa Iehl of Storm Lake. “The event was awe inspiring seeing so many donors bid and support our Catholic school. We are appreciative of all the volunteers, staff, and donors who made this event possible,” comments Melissa Iehl.
 
The winner of the Paxtons Jewelry Chest of Chance ring was St. Mary's 6-12 Religion Teacher, Danya Toft, and the $5,000 big raffle winner was St. Mary's alumnus, Brendan Smith. Funds were raised by supporters who purchased raffle tickets, purchased chest of chance bags, volunteered, and all who bid and donated. 
 
St. Mary’s Catholic School seeks to be a Christ-centered family devoted to the development of the spirit, the mind and the body. The St. Mary’s Ball and Charity Auction stands as the single-largest fundraiser of the year for the local Catholic school, contributing significantly to the continued success of St. Mary’s. Enrollment is currently open for the 25-26 school year.