Calling all True Blue & Gold Rattlers
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Mar 29, 2011, 0 Comments
Annual Fiesta fundraiser helps provide scholarships for Laredo students
The Laredo Chapter of the St. Mary’s University Alumni Association is looking for volunteers to help man their soda booth at this year’s Fiesta Oysterbake on Saturday, April 9, 2011. This will be the 95th celebration of the scholarship fundraiser, hosted by the oldest Catholic university in Texas.
Alumni, family and friends of St. Mary’s are encouraged to participate in this fundraiser which helps provide thousands of dollars in scholarships for local Laredo students heading off to St. Mary’s.
Volunteers do not have to be alumni; family and friends of St. Mary’s University are welcome to volunteer. The event is on the grounds of St. Mary’s University, at One Camino Santa Maria, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Volunteers receive an entrance band to the Bake; the camaraderie of other alumni, family and friends who help out; a chance to enjoy one of the most popular outdoor musical celebrations in the state of Texas; and the satisfaction of helping future Laredo students attend the acclaimed university.
Fiesta Oysterbake is known as “The Heartbeat of Fiesta,” and usually kicks off the 10-day San Antonio celebration. Last year, over 80,000 attended Fiesta Oysterbake.
“This year will be the 95th anniversary of Oysterbake, when four Marianist brothers came together to for an old-fashioned oyster bake, to raise scholarships for students. Today, St. Mary’s University continues the tradition of food, family and fun, all while raising money for scholarships,” said Xochitl Mora Garcia, president of the local alumni chapter.
“Each St. Mary’s alumni chapter across the state of Texas hosts a soda booth and the funds raised are poured right back into local coffers, which help us provide scholarships to local students going to St. Mary’s,” she added.
“In the past five years, we have distributed about $15,000 in scholarships to Laredo students going to St. Mary’s, thanks to the money raised at Oysterbake. But, we need volunteers to help work the booth,” Mora concluded.
Volunteers receive an admissions pass to Oysterbake. For more information on how to volunteer or about the local alumni chapter and their activities, contact Mora Garcia at (956) 337-3639 of xoch.mora@gmail.com.