RENO, Nev. — Little Flower Catholic School recently reached a monumental milestone in their recent capital campaign, which launched in February. The school announced it is set to begin construction next year on the first capital investment to the property in nearly 40 years. Thanks to a generous $3.5 million lead gift from an anonymous donor early in the campaign, along with two significant recent major donations, the project continues to move toward fulfilling a dream that is shared by many in the Little Flower community.
“It has been over 40 years since the building has had any major improvements, yet our student population has increased by thirty percent,” said Annie Di Loreto, principal of Little Flower. “One of the most important aspects of our new renovations will be the multipurpose room enabling students to gather for lunch rather than eating at their desks and providing a room for theater, music concerts, conferences and sports.”
Improvements include a new lunchroom, gym, auditorium and music room as well as 12 new classrooms (more than doubling the classrooms from 10 to 22). It also includes dedicated rooms for art, foreign language and mathematics. The expansion will add almost 20,000 square feet while keeping enrollment the same.
The multipurpose room will be named the Dolan Family Center in honor of Tom Dolan and his family who have committed $1.5 million to the project. In addition to the anonymous $3.5 million lead gift along with Mr. Dolan’s donation, former alumnus Linda Jayo and husband Eric Lannes also made a huge impact with their $1 million donation.
“We’ve seen tremendous support for this project,” said Nikki Pierce, Little Flower campaign general chair. “We’re incredibly thankful to Tom Dolan, Linda Jayo and Eric Lannes and others who have made these life-changing gifts to the school along with our entire Little Flower family who has shown unprecedented support. More than 70-percent of our existing school families and 100-percent of the faculty and school board have donated to the capital campaign.”
With rising construction costs looming, the fundraising campaign will continue even as construction is set to begin next year. Any money raised above what will be used for property improvements will go to an endowment for tuition assistance.
“Little Flower’s philosophy has always been to teach the whole person – mental, spiritual, physical and moral,” said Vicki Rossolo, former principal at Little Flower. “We are grateful to everyone who has contributed. This new space will help the school provide that educational opportunity for many years to come.”
For more about Little Flower Catholic School or to learn more about the capital campaign and to donate, please visit LittleFlowerSchoolNV.org.
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About Little Flower Catholic School
Established in 1962, Little Flower is a Catholic elementary school serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Little Flower educates the whole student – mind, body and spirit. Learn more at LittleFlowerSchoolNV.org
