Bellarmine College Preparatory's 28th Annual Auction Sets Sail for Treasure Island; Premier Fundraising Event Raises Essential Funds for School Programs, Operations.

Entertainment Editors/News Editors/Education Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2004

Bellarmine College Preparatory today announced its 28th Annual "Le Grande Golden Bell" Dinner and Auction. One of Bellarmine's premier fundraising events, Le Grande Golden Bell Auction invites over 600 guests to visit a different themed location each year, recreated on the Bellarmine campus. On March 20, 2004, guests will experience the magic and adventure of Treasure Island. The auction has raised over $10 million since its inception in 1977 for essential school programs and operations.

Le Grande Golden Bell Auction and Dinner will once again feature a lavish dinner menu from leading local chefs Emile Mooser of Emile's; Vince Gruasch of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Catering; and Jim Connolly, owner of Team Builders which provides a variety of team building programs, including the TeamCuisine program. In addition to a silent auction with over 400 items, from fine wine and jewelry to vacation packages and original artwork, there is also a $20,000 cash raffle. The highlight of the evening, though, is the spirited oral auction. Some of this year's items include an ultimate golf getaway to Hawaii worth over $25,000, a 2004 Yukon Denali, 2004 Jeep Liberty, dinners at leading local restaurants, vacation homes in Lake Tahoe, Santa Cruz and Jackson Hole and one of the most sought after men's watches in the world, the Rolex Daytona.

"It's impossible to overstate the importance of the ongoing support and generosity of parents, alumni and friends of the school," said Pat Wahler, Development Director at Bellarmine. "Without their generous donations of auction items, financial assistance and their time, this event would not be possible. It is because of their support and the active involvement of the guests at the auction that we are able to raise such important funds for essential school programs."

"Since the first year we held the event, although it was much smaller than today, Bellarmine's auction has never ceased to impress me," said Fr. Jerry Wade, S.J., Chancellor and Interim President of Bellarmine. "It is wonderful to see such an entertaining, exciting and rewarding Bellarmine tradition continue to be such a success year after year. Not only is it a great opportunity for members of extended Bellarmine family to get together and have fun, but also, and most importantly, it helps us continue to educate and nurture the talented young men who are at the heart of Bellarmine."

For more information on Bellarmine's Le Grande Golden Bell Dinner and Auction, please visit www.bcp.org.

About Bellarmine College Preparatory

Bellarmine College Preparatory has been educating young men since 1851, when it was originally founded on the same campus as Santa Clara University. The school has been at its current location on West Hedding in San Jose's College Park district for 78 years. Bellarmine students are educated in the Jesuit tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, and are encouraged to become "men for others". While Bellarmine strives for academic excellence, the school also seeks to instill a sense of responsibility through a variety of community ministry and Christian Service Programs. Bellarmine has a current enrollment of 1450 and a faculty/staff of 150.