Members of the Journalism I class plan to live out their stories of Phone-a-thon and actually show up to make calls.  Pictured above is Grace Schuh, a member of the class, with Mrs. Claire Teitz, who runs the program.

October is here, which means that it is time once again for a historical, 30+ year-old Triton event: the Phone-a-thon. 

It is the second-most important fundraiser for the Notre Dame Academy community, and it is extremely important for the school budget.

The Phone-a-thon is expected to gross $145,000 this year, which will be used to offset the cost of student tuition.

“We subsidize everyone’s tuition. It takes around $11,000 to provide an education at NDA,” Claire Teitz, the associate director of development, estimated. “The fundraisers lower that to 6,800.”

In other words, this fundraiser is simply essential because it ensures that the student body has access to an education that is as affordable as possible.

Phone-a-thons have been held at NDA since 1990, and before that, at Premontre, one of the predecessor schools. Since then, they have been an integral fundraising staple.

And Teitz is looking to recruit interested students for this event, who will be given service hours and free pizza.

She will be accepting students in small groups of 2-10, and highly encourages them to enlist the members of any clubs that they are a part of as well.

“Sometimes people don’t think they want to [volunteer],” Teitz said, “but when they do, it’s a lot of fun.”

From October 11 to November 23 Teitz will need students to volunteer on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, with the exception of Thursday, October 28, and Thursday, November 4.

Teitz implores students to take advantage of this special opportunity to pitch in for the better good of the school. 

Sign-up sheets will be posted outside of campus minister Daniel Kreigl’s office, and there is the option to sign up through ASTRA, NDA’s service club.

“It is extremely hard to get volunteers,” Teitz shared. “I appreciate any help at all.”                                      

  –Cassie Garrison

Phone-a-Thon is Notre Dame Academy’s second largest fundraiser of the year and is vital in keeping the school running.

Phone-a-Thon consists of making calls to donors, alumni and parents and asking for money and donations for the school. This fundraiser has a long history and has been a part of the school since NDA was founded.  

The profits from Phone-a-Thon go all over the school. The money helps subsidize tuition, pay teachers salaries and helps the school afford things like electricity and purchasing a new boiler. 

The volunteers call thousands of donors and the goal for this year is to raise $145,000, none of which will be possible without students’ help. 

“It’s extremely hard for me to get volunteers, so I appreciate anyone who can come,” said Claire Tetiz, Assistant Director of Development. 

So how can someone get involved in Phone-a-Thon?

It’s very easy – Mr. Kriegl, campus minister, has a sign-up outside his door. Phone-a-Thon will be taking place from October 11 through November 23 from 5:30-8:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. You aren’t required to be there the whole time – you can come for an hour or two to help out. There will be pizza and snacks for all volunteers and you also get service hours upon participation. Clubs are able to sign up, you can take a group of friends, or you can go alone. 

Phone-a-Thon is a great way to fundraise for the school and complete the service hours needed for the year. There will only be 10 phones open a night so make sure to sign up now.

–Frannie Wied

The Phone-a-Thon is an annual fundraiser that goes back all the way to Abbot Pennings and still happens today.

The Phone-a-Thon is where about 10 students gather and call previous donors to the school and ask for donations after explaining what the money goes towards.

The money goes towards the students’ extracurriculars, education and sometimes even appliances or things that need to be updated around the school. 

On average they have about 600 donors and their goal is $145,000. 

It’s a fun event that you can even do with a group of friends that counts towards service hours.

You can sign up for just one event or you can sign up for multiple.

When you get there, there will also be snacks and pizza thanks to Mrs. Claire Teitz. 

Teitz is the assistant director of development and is in charge of the Phone-a-Thon. 

“It is extremely difficult to get volunteers and I am very grateful for anyone who does,” said Teitz.

They line the priory hallway with phones and the calling begins!

“This woman works so diligently,” said Mrs.Brown.

The easiest way is to go through the Notre Dame service club, ASTRA. 

You can can also go to Mr. Kriegl’s office and there should be signs on the door to sign up.

The Phone-a-Thon runs from now all the way until around Thanksgiving from 5:30-8:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Your service would be greatly appreciated by everyone and they hope to see you there.