Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) will host its annual gala to benefit Catholic school students and also to thank the companies and individuals who have supported the BLOCS program throughout the year. BLOCS has raised nearly $3 million in scholarship funds for the 2008-2009 school year. Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will offer remarks and Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, will deliver the invocation. Mr. Mike O'Neill, chairman of BLOCS, will thank the companies and individuals who have supported BLOCS. Mayor Michael Nutter will also speak to those in attendance.

Also attending the gala are: State Senators Dominic Pileggi (R- Delaware County) and Stewart J. Greenleaf, (R-Montgomery/Bucks Counties); State Representative James Roebuck (D- Philadelphia County); Frank Rizzo, Philadelphia Councilman-At-Large; Eugene Hickok, former Pennsylvania Secretary of Education; Mr. Daniel Fitzpatrick, Citizens Bank; Mr. Robert Kane, PNC Bank; and Mr. Dean Cimino, Morgan Stanley.

6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Crystal Tea Room - Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East
Philadelphia

Kelsey Olszewski, a student from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School, and Michael Klivas, a student from Roman Catholic High School for Boys, will emcee the evening's festivities, with assistance from Anthony Gargano from Sports Radio WIP. Kayleigh McCrossan, a kindergarten student from Saint Martha Parish School (Northeast Philadelphia), will sing the National Anthem.

BLOCS is a dynamic group of area business leaders who care deeply about the state of education in our region. BLOCS believes that access to a high-quality education for children - especially those most in need - is crucial to the continued growth and success of our region. BLOCS' main focus is providing tuition scholarships to low income children. These scholarships provide the next generation of leasers with the tools to break the cycle of poverty - an excellent education, a sense of strong value and a belief that they can be successful in life.

For more information about BLOCS please visit www.BLOCS.org.

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Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747