Five guys from the Class of 2003 made LEF calls on Tuesday, Oct. 13. From left are Scott Tucker, Eric Leefe, Casey O’Flynn, Jean Paul Perrilliat, and Ian Blanchard, who will lead the 2016-17 drive.

More than 200 alumni spanning six decades returned to Carrollton and Banks in October to connect with their classmates and help keep Jesuit an affordable school of excellence. During three nights of calling in St. Ignatius Hall, Blue Jays collected more than 1,100 pledges totaling $450,000.

Jesuit’s Living Endowment Fund (LEF) drive — the alumni component of the school’s annual giving campaign — helps make up the difference between what Jesuit charges for tuition and what it actually costs to educate a Blue Jay. The other pillars of annual giving are the Parents’ Annual Giving (PAG) drive and Parents of Alumni (POA) campaign.

The 2015-16 LEF drive is being led by Marc Bonifacic ’92, who is being assisted by 2014-15 chairman Mike Varisco ’83 and 2016-17 chairman Ian Blanchard ’03.

“Our goal this year is to have 4,000 participants and to collect $1.4 million in donations,” said Bonifacic, who has done an outstanding job rallying the troops and leading the important effort. “With the level of support we’re receiving from our class captains and generous alumni across the country, I have no doubt that we’ll reach our goal.”

The Class of 2003 leads all classes in pledges with 87, followed by the Class of 1992 with 80 pledges and the Class of 1989 with 66. The classes of 2003 and 1992 lead the drive in donations with 31 each. The Class of 1964 has collected 25 donations.

Alumni are encouraged to make their commitments as soon as possible by donating online at www.jesuitnola.org/lef.

Two Tonys: Tony Milazzo III ’96 with his father Tony Milazzo, Jr. ’67

LEF callers are treated to a delicious dinner before the dialing begins and receive thank you gifts from alumni director Mat Grau ’68 when calling wraps up at 8:30.

On Monday, Oct. 12, volunteers were treated to a scrumptious supper prepared by Aaron Burgau of Patois on Magazine Street that included red beans and rice, gumbo, salad, and dessert. Max Gruenig ’06 of Koz’s restaurant in Lakeview cooked fantastic fried chicken, loaded mashed potatoes, salad, cornbread, and bread pudding on Tuesday, Oct. 13. And on Wednesday, Oct. 14, Sandy Duplantier ’80 served savory shrimp and grits, which was accompanied by a green bean casserole, salad, and delicious Italian cream cheese cake squares.

Blue Jays return in the spring for another round of calling, March 8-10. Alumni interested in calling their classmates should contact LEF coordinator Logan Diano at diano@jesuitnola.org.