Hope dinner 2012Jamestown  (CSi)  The 26th Annual HOPE Dinner and Auction is set for Saturday October 1, 2016, at Zebedee Center, at St. John’s Academy in Jamestown.

The Social is at 5:30-p.m., the dinner is at 6:30-p.m.

On Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Jim and Carolyn Exner, who were the first chairs of the event, said the theme this year is “Celebrating and Envisioning,” celebrating a legacy of 125 years of faith and education, as HOPE stands for Help Offer Private Education.

100 percent of the proceeds go to benefit the students and programs at St. John’s Academy.

The event was originally hosted by the Knights of Columbus Hall, then the Jamestown Civic Center, then, after 2001, at the then, newly constructed Zebedee Center, adjacent to the school building.

They indicated that the first HOPE Dinner and Auction in January of 1992 had nine sponsors, and last year the sponsors numbered 55, raising over $100,000.

Jim pointed out the event is so successful because of the dedication and support of the community, and parents, teachers, the St. John’s Academy administration, and sponsors.

He said more sponsors are welcome.

Carolyn added that the Second Graders will perform, and each grade makes an item that will be auctioned.  Sixth Graders help out during the evening.

She said there will be two raffles, for a diamond ring and a fishing trip  for six, to Lake of the Woods, Minnesota.

An item during the live auction will be a Carson Wentz football jersey.

Other auction items include dinners and more.

As of Wednesday eight tickets remained.

For more information, ticket availability and sponsorships call St. John’s Academy at 701 252-3397.