The Northern Chautauqua Catholic School has raised more than 95 percent of its $100,000 goal earlier this week. P-J file photo

DUNKIRK — Less than two months ago, the Northern Chautauqua Catholic School Board mailed a letter to community members detailing their urgent financial need and goal of raising $100,000 by Aug. 1. What was once referred to as “an ambitious but achievable goal” by the board is turning out to be a victory, as more than $95,000 has been raised as of July 31.

“This just shows how much love and support we have from the community,” said NCCS Principal Jenny Tilaro. “We are so incredibly grateful and couldn’t wait to share this information with our NCCS families!”

According to Tilaro, all of the funds that have poured in this summer are direct donations from community members, businesses and students’ families who have mailed them and, in some cases, hand-delivered their donations to the school.

Tilaro looks forward to thanking donors at a special mass, “A Celebration of Angels,” on Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity R.C. Church. “I hope everyone who donated will come to the mass,” said Tilaro. “Many of our students will be there in their uniforms, too, to thank our donors.”

Additionally, Tilaro has been taking the time to personally thank donors the old fashioned way. “I’ve been handwriting thank you cards to every single donor, no matter how big or small the donation. There have been so many! My hand is starting to cramp,” Tilaro laughed. “By giving, they’re supporting our children, which is what this is all about. I mean everything I say from the bottom of my heart.”

Due in large part to the influx of donations, the school year is moving forward as planned with a current enrollment of 93 students. “We’re getting calls from new families interested in enrolling their children at our school, and we hope they join us this fall. It just shows the faith they have in our school and what we do here,” said Tilaro.

In addition to welcoming Michael Lemieux as superintendent, NCCS will be welcoming new faculty members. Tilaro said that there will be a new Spanish teacher and a new physical education teacher starting this fall.

Although the funds raised to date have all been the result of donations, the school is planning fundraisers for the near future. On Aug. 11 in the school gymnasium, NCCS will be hosting a Lularoe clothing sale as a fundraiser. “I know a lot of people really like this clothing brand and I invite them all to come and support us,” Tilaro said. For more information on upcoming school events and fundraisers, visit nccschool.us and follow Northern Chautauqua Catholic School on Facebook.