Catholic high school in Nebraska competes for needed funding

Lincoln, Neb., Aug 26, 2010 / 18:24 pm

Hoping to win funding for a new and much needed kitchen, Pius X High School in Lincoln, Nebraska is competing in a department store's national contest for a $500,000 cash prize.

Pius X High School, as of today, is the leading Catholic school in the nation competing in the Kohl's Cares online voting contest on Facebook. 

“The company is donating $500,000 to 20 schools nationwide who receive the most votes,” explained Pius X development director Michelle Birkel in an e-mail to CNA.

The high school is currently listed as being in 12th place, with the voting ending on Sept. 3. Birkel noted that the school is “working really hard” to spread the word.

“We are in great need of a new kitchen,” Birkel said. “For years, the food services have been housed across the parking lot and the lunch workers have to cart it across the parking lot,” she continued, adding that the “harsh” Nebraska winters make the situation more challenging. Adding to the problem, the building that houses the food services “is slated to be torn down.”
 
“Several schools in the lead have banded together and are getting nationwide if not worldwide coverage asking their faith community to vote, and they are zooming up,” the development director added. “We desperately need our own Catholic faith community around the country and even worldwide to help us.”

“It's free,” Birkel said, noting that anyone with a Facebook account “can give us 5 votes.”

Pius X High School is one of two Catholic schools listed in the top 20, and there are reportedly five Catholic schools nationwide in the top 100. 

“Voters can cast up to 20 votes, with a 5 vote maximum for each school,” Birkel said. “Wouldn't it be wonderful if your readers can lift up all of the Catholic schools in the top 100?”

For more information, please visit: www.facebook.com/kohls