COAL TOWNSHIP - The Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni Foundation credits the alumni-backed implementation of the Pennsylvania Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program with saving the school from closing, helping needy families with financial aid and increasing enrollment by 35 percent.
After three full school years of support from business donors, the EITC program boosted current school year enrollment to 472 - 122 more than 2011-12. Expected enrollment for 2015-16 is 500.
"The key to moving OLOL forward to a bright future means continually getting the word out about the EITC program and being sure to fill out EITC applications every year - and on time," Tony J. Varano, head of the alumni foundation, said in a press release issued this week. "We have nothing but heartfelt gratitude to all those supporting OLOL through the EITC, and we are asking for your continued support."
In April 2012, the Diocese of Harrisburg was on the verge of closing Lourdes. The school, "which had produced so many wonderful memories for so many alumni," was in dire need of help, Varano said.
Local parishes were financially supporting OLOL with an annual commitment of $875,000, but a request for an annual reduction was granted from $875,000 to $457,000 starting immediately.
"Without the sustaining income from the parishes, this left the diocese with a difficult decision to close the school," Varano said.
Alumni met with the then-Bishop Joseph McFadden and he expressed his commitment to supporting the alumni and the school if they were able to close the gap through different fundraising opportunities.
"The alumni stepped up and aggressively took advantage" of EITC, Varano said.
EITC allows Pennsylvania business taxpayers to donate money to educational institutions and programs and receive 90 percent of what they donated back in a tax credit. Also, since the remaining donation is federally deductible, the out-of-pocket after-tax outlay is approximately 6 percent. For example, if a business donates $10,000, it gets approximately back in tax credits $9,400; the real donation is $600.
During the 2012 school year, with the help of the business donors through EITC, $243,000 went to help families.
"With this in place, more families were able to continue to send their children to OLOL with the tuition assistance. Equally important, families that were not able to send their children to OLOL because of financial reasons were now able to do so with tuition assistance," Varano said.
He said nearly 180 families are assisted every year through Lourdes' EITC program.
One business owner has consistently contributed approximately $150,000 per year to Lourdes through EITC. He has confirmed that his out-of-pocket cost for such a game changing contribution is approximately $9,000 per year, and added that the EITC allows him to "really get a bang for (his) charitable buck," according to Varano.
He said OLOL's "bright future" is also exemplified in several ways unrelated to the success of the EITC program. Debt owed to the catholic Diocese of Harrisburg will be retired this year. The ongoing capital campaign to modernize science labs has thus far been a huge success, and students will soon be learning in first-class labs, he said.
Added to that was Lourdes' news Thursday of re-accreditation of its academic programs and environment from the prestigious Middle States Association. The MSA called Lourdes "a beacon of light on a hill."
"We really think OLOL's best years are yet to come," Varano said. "The town needs OLOL more than ever. The success of the EITC program and increased enrollment acted as a catalyst to unleash other incredible OLOL successes in the past three years."
Alumni and staff encourage those needing more information to call the school at 570-644-0375.