Hales Franciscan Alumni Association Fundraiser
Hales Franciscan Alumni Association (HFAA) is sponsoring the Inaugural Keith Tate Silent Auction on May 25, 2019 to support the programs and services of Hales Franciscan High School.
Keith Tate and the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council (CAPCC) fought to bring businesses to the community. According to the CAPCC Executive Vice President and Economic Development Chair at the time, Mary Ellen Drake, “Keith fought for our schools, churches and neighborhoods!” He was active at his church, St. Dorothy and often helped needy families with boxes of food. He was committed to Hales Franciscan High School, where he served as the alumni association president.
The Hales Franciscan Alumni Association decided to honor the legacy of their former president by establishing the Keith Tate Silent Auction to continue his support of the school.
Hales, the historically black, all-male catholic school on the city's South Side, resumed operations with only a freshman class for the 2017-2018 school year.
"It's vital that this institution, which has served the African-American community for 53 years, reopen and continue its history of academic achievement," current HFAA President Chris Thomas said.
The Hales Board of Trustees suspended classes for the 2016-2017 academic year.
The community views Hales positively, according to the Alumni Association.
However, many parents still do not know that the school is accepting admissions applications from students entering the ninth grade in the fall, Thomas said.
Most of Hales' former students received financial assistance to pay the school's $7,500 yearly tuition. Parents, guardians and students interested in Hales Franciscan High School can attend the auction at the high school from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 25. The cost for admission is $20 for adults and no charge for students. Buy Tickets