Our Lady of Malibu Catholic School’s 150 students and 15 teachers, dressed in green, gathered on St. Patrick’s Day for a pep rally to kick off upcoming celebrations for the school’s 50th anniversary and annual raffle.
The rally on Monday was the first of eight pep rallies that are geared to motivate students to sell raffle tickets for a MINI Cooper to raise money for the school.
Bob Smith BMW in Calabasas partnered with the school last year and this year to raffle the car. Proceeds from last year’s ticket sales provided the school with $54,000 in revenue that was used to fund art and technology projects and teacher training.
“This year, we hope to make $60,000,” said event chair Molly McNicholas.
Bill Hinderer, grandfather of Our Lady of Malibu students Kalynn and Garrett Harrington, drove to the rally in the MINI Cooper he won last year and spoke to encourage students to sell tickets.
“I told my wife I wasn’t going to buy a ticket last year because I never win anything,” Hinderer said. “She bought one for me and put my name on it. I had a BMW station wagon before this car that I got rid of because this car is better.”
Single tickets for the raffle cost $20; six cost $100, and students are given prizes of $500, $300 and $125, respectively, for the highest number of tickets sold.
The raffle will end May 17, when the school and church will hold the official 50th anniversary celebration on school grounds with students, families and alumni. A 5 p.m. Mass will be followed by cocktails, a formal dinner, award presentations, a silent auction and the announcement of the winner of the raffle ticket sales.