10/30/2025

Class of '83:
 
We're neck deep in this year's Project '83 pledge drive, and today we're opening up the mailbag:
 
"Keith, I know we have an endowment that pays for all the turkeys, but tell me again, what is Project '83 and what are we raising money for?" Great question. We do have funds invested which should pay for all turkeys indefinitely. We now raise money for something more ambitious, Project '83, which we launched a few years ago with the goal of seeding and growing a commitment to community service among current Jesuit students.
 
"That sounds pretty vague. What does that mean?" Our class has committed to our own community service over the years through our turkey drive, but that initially got started just by a few committed guys, Varisco and Sobrino, deciding to step up and make a difference where they saw a need. It grew from there. We believe that if we challenge the current JHS students to come up with their own ideas for how they can make a difference in their own ways, and the Class of '83 offers to help shape and fund their ideas, we can kick start similar long term commitments to community service among these kids. They should be able to see opportunities and needs that we cannot, and we're here to help them get those ideas off the ground.
 
"Do we have any examples so far?" Absolutely. We have funded one student who came to us with a program to renovate a prayer garden at St. Philip Neri in Metairie. Our class funded a paved walkway to the grotto area, updated landscaping around the grotto, and shored up the foundation supporting the statue of Mary. We funded another student who proposed renovations to a dog rescue facility. We funded fencing/gates, replaced damaged kennel structure, and other miscellaneous items. These are small starts, but it pushes the students to begin coming up with more community service ideas. There are other projects we have funded and others we have turned down if we felt like the proposed project benefited a related party.
 
"Sounds amazing, what now?" Pay up, you mullets! Your board has worked really hard to get this initiative started and they need your financial support. Click through to www.classof83turkeys.com and donate today. Like now. What wait for us to stalk you, just do it now. 
 
Thank you all!

Keith
2025 Chairman
Project '83 Fundraising Drive

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​10/10/2025

Classmates:
 
Its October and the Saints have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, so that can mean only one thing…it’s time for the annual Project ’83 fund drive! I am unbelievably proud to write to you all as Captain of this year’s drive. When Stanley calls on you to serve, you cannot say no.
 
As you know, for years we called this event the Class of ’83 Thanksgiving Drive and used this effort as way to raise money for the thousands of turkeys we have provided to the less fortunate in our city. That effort generated enough surplus funding over time that our ability to provide turkeys in every food basket that JHS delivers at Thanksgiving will go on in perpetuity. Well done, friends!
 
As you also know, we launched Project ’83 a few years ago as the next iteration of our work: Focus on working with Jesuit High School students to support and foster growth in these young men through community service. We now take this time each November to raise the money needed to build the programs that will enable this ambitious goal to be realized.
 
As with many start-up efforts, we’ve needed a few years to workshop ideas and test a few to see how feasible they might be. Your leadership team (Varisco, Martin, Alvarez, Moises, Sudderth, Gelpi, Derbes, Ingles, and the lates Schwarzenbach and North) have done a ton of work to get us to this point. Project ’83 is now ready to launch more tangible programs, and you will be hearing LOTS more about that in Spring 2026.
 
For now, we need each of you to renew the energy we’ve counted on for more than 20 years, and give generously to this year’s drive. Yes, we will hunt you down by phone if we have to, but you can avoid an awkward call with Varisco by donating proactively, directly through the website or via the methods outlined below. Choose wisely!
 
As I said, I am so proud to be speaking for this year’s effort and to be a member of this class. We’ve always stepped up when our school and our community needed us, and I know we’ll do that now to support our students and help launch this amazing initiative. Thank you!!
 
Keith
2025 Chairman
Project '83 Fundraising Drive


A message from the Treasurer:

Our first Call Night will be after the upcoming Alumni Giving Drive (dates forthcoming). If you would like to donate before that, go to our old website (www.classof83turkeys.com) and click on the DONATE button. We accept PayPal and Venmo donations.

If you prefer to write a check, mail it to me at:

Project '83
306 Athania Parkway
Metairie, LA     70001

Another Proud Member of the Class of '83
Rene Alvarez
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