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For Thomas Aquinas ������ý’s second annual Parents’ Day of Giving on May 1, the parents and grandparents of students past and present were challenged to raise $125,000. With four hours left to go in the day, they had already surpassed that total.

“When two anonymous benefactors agreed to match all gifts up to $125,000, we thought that was an ambitious goal, given that our parents raised just over $100,000 last year,” says Robert Bagdazian, coordinator of the Thomas Aquinas ������ý Parents’ Association. “If we had merely reached that goal, we would have been thrilled. But our parents went above and beyond.”

At 8:00 p.m., when the parents and grandparents — aided by alumni, many of whom made gifts in honor of their parents — had reached the $125,000 goal, a member of the ������ý’s Board of Governors intervened to keep the day going. Dr. Thomas Krause offered to match any additional gifts that came in before midnight, up to $10,000 total, bringing the overall Parents’ Day of Giving goal to $135,000.

Once again, TAC families rose to the occasion.

By day’s end, parents and grandparents donated $141,011.35, which — when combined with the matching gifts — amounts to $276,011.35 in support of the ������ý’s Annual Fund. That marks a nearly $100,000 increase over the 2018 total.

Although the Parents’ Day of Giving has come to an end, some parents have inquired if they may still contribute. “It’s never too late!” says Mr. Bagdazian. The Parents’ Day of Giving parent and alumni forms remains open, and any late-arriving gifts and pledges will be added to this year’s total.

“We are delighted with the outpouring of support that we witnessed yesterday, which is a wonderful reflection of the affection that parents have for Thomas Aquinas ������ý,” says President Michael F. McLean. “I would like to thank everyone who contributed, and also to ask all to continue to pray for the ������ý and for our program of Catholic liberal education. By God’s grace, may we always continue to produce the sort of alumni who inspire and manifest such generosity.”