Going to the Gala? Not if you were only involved with Camp in its early years! You went to the Appreciation Dinner!
By Pati Egan
It’s hard to date when the first Appreciation Dinner took place. It is featured in 1960s yearbooks. It appears to be first held at Assumption High School (all boys school until the early 1970s when it went coed) in East St. Louis, Ill. Assumption is long gone but the spirit of the Appreciation Dinners lives on in the Gala!
In 2003, Judy Blase Woodruff and Liz Zelenka revived this tradition with a modern twist; the first event was called the Mardi Gras Benefit Dinner & Auction. There was an auction, Lodge awards, and dinner held at the Shrine Conference Center in Belleville. It was a huge hit! Now, this event is held every other year as Camp’s Gala, and each year it gets better and better!
The oldest continually given award is the Merit of St. René Goupil. This is awarded by the Lodges of Ondessonk & Tekakwitha for meritorious service to Camp, the Lodge, and the community by a non-Lodge volunteer. This award is still given out today. Originally the Lodge of Ondessonk gave one to a male and the Lodge of Tekakwitha gave one to a female.
Camp gave out three more levels of awards at the dinners. The Bronze, Silver, and Gold Crest. Below is a description of these awards – please excuse my 12-year-old sister’s handwriting! This is from one of the last dinners in 1973.
More award recipients up to 1978 are pictured. If you recognize anyone in these pictures feel free to add it in the comments.
These pictures appear to be at Assumption which would date it early to mid 1960s.
These pictures are, probably, from the last Appeciation Dinner. By that time, the dinners were held at Augustine’s Restaurant in Belleville.
The Merit Of St. Rene award recipients
If you’ve ever been in the dining hall for dinner and saw someone with a green Lodge sash this means they have been awarded the Merit of St. René Goupil. The oldest continually given out award at Camp.
Featured Speakers and this dinner were a big deal to our local politicians.
These names probably won’t mean much to you but at the time these people were a big deal! The Appreciation Dinners featured a nationally known speaker at each event. From politicians, to the Director of the Peace Corps, to Jean Dixon.
The Lodges Save The Day (and the American Legion Auxiliary Juniors 22nd District Color Guard)!
During the early 1970s things like Appreciation Dinners were, I suppose, losing popularity. Tickets cost $50 each, $50 was a lot of money in those days! Camp decided to offer Lodge Members and their family’s tickets for $25. Yep, $25 was a much better price. Lodge Members were the top selling group for the banquet. Still, Camp could use a little pizazz to the banquet. My mom was very involved in the American Legion Auxiliary. She arranged that if Camp would pay for her and the 22nd District Color Guard would get their tickets paid for, they would be honored to present the colors prior to the dinner. This, by the way, is the only dinner my mom, dad, and youngest sister attended, my dad must have purchased his own ticket. Peggi was in the color guard (and a Lodge Member). The Color Guard brought their parents – who had to buy tickets. Win, win for everyone – Camp had a well trained in flag etiquette group advance the colors and their parents bought more tickets.
The End and a new beginning!
It appears that the dinners ended by the mid to late 1970s. In 2003 Camp was building a new dining hall and funds were needed to help supply the kitchen. Judy Blase Woodruff and the late Liz Zelenka came up with a brilliant idea. Let’s have a fundraising gala. Since about 40 years passed since the last Appreciation Dinner was held; people were enthused, excited, and more than willing to come to the Shrine of our Lady Of Snows.
The concept was different – no featured speakers, but a long tradition was born – the Verbal and Silent Auction! This featured Camp specific memorabilia and other items donated by Camp supporters everywhere.
A few of the more interesting items are:
V1. Oil Painting of Pakentuck
Own this original painting by one of Camp’s former staff
members, Patty Mullen.
Donor: Patty Mullen
Value: $250
Hand-made Wall Hanging
Decorate your home with this unique 40X40 wall hanging.
This beautiful item is machine pieced with origami flowers, hand quilted and beaded with the Camp logo. A lot of love and care went into the creation of this wall hanging. See Rose Hogan for care.
Donor: Rose Hogan
Value: $350
V9. Ondessonk Quilt!
Here is a bit of Ondessonk nostalgia with a quilt that includes the color of each unit plus other favorite memories of Camp. Own this one-of-a-kind creation to hang on a wall or to use on your bed!
Donor: Jean Gilomen & Sarah Gilomen
Value: $300
V15. Oil Painting of Pakentuck Falls
This piece was painted in Korea specially for the Stowes, and it is based on a photograph taken by Stephen Pitt in the winter of 1977/78.
Donor: The Stowe Family
Value: Memorable!
V1. Oil Painting of Pakentuck
Own this original painting by one of Camp’s former staff
members, Patty Mullen.
Donor: Patty Mullen
Value: $250
The silent auction featured camp items such as the Original Base Drum, out of circulation, yearbooks, arrowheads, and apparel.
A highlight was a showing of the Camp historical video.
Awards such as the Merit of St. René Goupil were revived and a few new ones created.
Recognition – Former Lodge Chiefs & Princesses
St. Jean de LaLande Award
St. Jean de Brebeuf Award
St. Rene Goupil Award
Rookie Staff Member of the Year
Veteran Staff Member of the Year
The next Gala was held in 2004, and then it was decided to hold Galas every other year.
Yes, it does cost more than $50 a ticket now, but you will have an awesome time. This year’s theme is Gala Italiano.
Join Us for Gala Italiano: An Evening to Benefit Camp Ondessonk
Indulge in the spirit of Italy while supporting a great cause at Gala Italiano, Camp Ondessonk’s biennial gala and auction, on Saturday, March 1, at The Regency O’Fallon in O’Fallon, Ill. This unforgettable evening promises fun, excitement, and a chance to support the future of our campers.
Click here to learn more about supporting the Gala Italiano.