Come home for Christmas
A dollhouse version of the mansion building will be up for purchase at the live auction Friday night at nine pm. Emily Hirshorn ’15
Emily Hirshorn ’15
Convent of the Sacred Heart invites the entire community to “Come Home for Christmas” this year. The Board of Trustees, The Greenwich-Maplehurst Alumnae Association, and The Parents’ Association are co-hosting this fundraising event Friday, December 6 and Sunday, December 8.
“Given who we are as a school, there is no place, or school community that is better able to deck the halls–literally and figuratively–for this most joyous and important of holidays,” alumna, parent, and trustee member Mandy Dawson Murphy ’85 said.
The event is co-chaired by Head of School Pamela Juan Hayes ’64, the Board of Trustees, Chair Paula Tennyson, and Kimberly Huchro, Trustee and Co-Chair of the Advancement Committee. All proceeds will go to Sacred Heart’s Endowment, and the Faculty and Staff Professional Development Fund.
The celebration will begin Friday at 7 pm for parents, alumnae, and friends. There will be a silent auction featuring wreaths and trees decorated by each class. For example, the junior class tree is Lulu Lemon-themed with quotes and headbands inspired by the exercise brand hanging from the branches. Photo figurines of all the members of the Class of 2015 also outfit the tree.
In addition to the silent auction, a live auction will occur 9 pm Friday night. A dollhouse of the Sacred Heart mansion building is one gift available for live bids. Mrs. Murphy believes that this dollhouse, which is on display in the front hall, will be a popular item.
Besides the auction, a tuition raffle will occur Friday night. The school sold five hundred tickets for the raffle, and the winning ticket holder receives a year of Sacred Heart education for free. The Upper School singing group Madrigals, will also carol around the school Friday night.
Sunday December 8, the festivities continue with a series of afternoon events from 11 am to 4 pm. The events are for the entire family, beginning with mass and followed by a brunch reception. Children will have the opportunity to shop for presents for family and friends in Santa’s Secret Workshop, and even decorate their own gingerbread house.
“The Mass on Sunday will be such a special gathering of our whole community,” Mrs. Murphy said. “Also, the Gingerbread House workshops–that will be quite the scene–both work shops are totally sold out. I hope the school has amassed enough gum drops, candy canes, peppermints, chocolate snow caps etc.”
Although this is the first “Come Home for Christmas” event, Mrs. Murphy believes it will become a school tradition going into the future.
“It will become truly one of the great and memorable traditions that all Sacred Heart students, past and present, for now and years to come, will look upon as a real hallmark of Sacred Heart and a highlight of our school calendar,” Mrs. Murphy said.
– Emily Hirshorn, Co-Opinions Editor
