The Catholic Education Foundation's annual Appreciation Dinner May 25 paid tribute to behind the scenese "heroes" who make its possible for thousands of students to attend Catholic school locally each year.

Trustees, emeritus trustees, individual donors and representatives of foundations and corporations, who are longtime, core contributors to the Foundation's success, were among those recognized and thanked at the dinner, held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels rectory.

Cardinal Roger Mahony, as chairman of the Foundation, acknowledged the success of the Foundation since its beginning in 1988, and cited today's increasingly challenging requirement to provide even more scholarships to meet the needs of the children attending archdiocesan Catholic schools. The cardinal emphasized to those being honored that they are the "true heroes" of the Foundation, because without their support and generosity, the Foundation would not exist.

Rob Smith, Foundation president, thanked the donors for their tremendous support and compassion for almost 6,000 students that receive tuition awards every year. Kathy Anderson, Foundation executive director, related the stories of several students whose lives have been touched and changed forever by the gift of a Catholic education, so generously given by those at the dinner.

The Catholic Education Foundation provides scholarships to Pre-K through 12th graders in archdiocesan schools on the basis of financial need and the principal's recommendation. Scholarships are awarded without regard to religious or ethnic background. The Board of Trustees of the Foundation guides the fundraising activities and determines the priorities for allocation of scholarships to the Archdiocesan schools.