ACE 2021 – ACE in the Wild

The Alumni Association of Thomas More Prep-Marian is proud to sponsor the 47th Annual Auction for Christian Education (ACE). From the first auction in 1975 to 2020, ACE has raised $10,218,954.78 for Thomas More Prep-Marian.

The Hays business community, TMP-Marian parents, alumni and friends have worked many years together with the Capuchin friars and Agnesian sisters and now the Diocese of Salina to keep the dream of a Catholic educational option alive for Hays, Ellis County and western Kansas. Thanks to you, our alumni, and many others in the business and professional community, ACE is a continuing testimony to your support of, and belief in, our mission. ACE 2021 Co-Chairs are Randy ’74 & Nadine ’74 (Dreiling) Gottschalk and Ryan ’96 & Tia Gottschalk.

We invite all previous donors to favor us again with a quality “new” item(s) for the auction, and ask new donors to be as generous as your situation permits. It takes a large variety of items to make this event a success. We are counting on your support to help the school.

ACE 2021 will be held online due to the continuing pandemic. The Alumni Association of TMP-Marian will host the Monarch Court Banquest, an “ACE Watch Party” on Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. in the Al Billinger Fieldhouse. Limited tickets will be available with 16 tables of 12 at $300/couple or $150/person Open bar, hors d’oervres, a delicious meal and tasty cinnamon rolls and in-person bidding assistance will be provided. All ticket holders are eligible for $1500 in prizes thanks to Jeff and Melissa Pinkney, Mike and Lori Hertel and the Glassman Corporation! Ticket reservations will open on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Please contact Mary Lang at 785-625-9434 or email alumni@tmpmarian.org to make your reservation. Since this event is subject to cancellation based on the current state of the pandemic at the time of the watch party, the ticket price will be charged to your bid number if the event is held. Cancellations will not be allowed after Monday, April 12, 2021.

Please click here to download a form to submit your donation. We also have a number of volunteers ready to call on members of the business and professional community to visit with you regarding a donation. An early response will allow quick progress towards the success of our auction, as well as assure that your gift will be promoted online in the auction bidding program and catalog. Donation deadline for all items to be included in the ACE program is March 1, 2021.

Auction bidding will go live at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, April 23, 2021 with a Hays Chamber Chat to kick off this event. Everyone is invited to preview the auction items throughout the day (9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.) on Friday, April 23, 2021 and on Saturday, April 24, 2021 (10:00 a.m. – noon) in the Al Billinger Fieldhouse. The auction program and catalog will be online prior to these dates for easy viewing.

We are excited to once again offer raffle drawings for four $1,000 Cash Prizes, one $2,000 Cash Prize, one $5,000 Cash Prize and a 2020 KIA SOUL LX. Purchase two tickets for any of the above raffle drawings and receive the third ticket free. Please note that each ticket has a different price…

2020 KIA SOUL LX Raffle Prize (valued at $16,750.00) is $100/ticket or 3/$200
$5,000 Cash Raffle Prize is $25/ticket or 3/$50
$2,000 Cash Raffle Prize is $15/ticket or 3/$30
$1,000 Cash Raffle Prize is $10/ticket or 3/$20; FOUR chances to win!

Everyone can donate to oral auction item #60 even if you do not plan to attend the auction or you can become a “Pennies for ACE” donor. Click here for more details!

Thank you for your support of Thomas More Prep-Marian in its endeavor to educate the Catholic leaders of tomorrow, and we ask your continuing prayers for the success of our auction and religious vocations.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Wanda Billinger, Alumni Director

Fr. Earl Befort, O.F.M. Cap., Alumni President

Troy Ruda, Advancement Director