Established in 2009, the award recognizes a person, couple or organization whose contributions have significantly fostered and strengthened Catholic schools in the Quincy community. Before retiring from their positions with the PMO in May 2011, Potter and Sherman, together, provided more than 80 years of dedicated service to the PMO band program.

Potter and Sherman will be honored at a fundraising dinner on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Quincy Holiday Inn at 4821 Oak St. A social hour will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the dinner and program to follow. Tickets for the dinner are $100 per person. Corporate table sponsorships are available for $1,000 and include eight dinner tickets.

Revenue from the dinner will go toward the QCES Foundation's tuition assistance fund for Quincy's four Catholic elementary schools. For the fourth consecutive year, the Western Catholic Union will provide a matching grant for funds raised from the dinner. This year WCU Matching Grant will provide up to $12,500 toward the QCES Foundation's Tuition-Assistance Fund.

Those interested in purchasing tickets or wishing to sponsor a corporate table for the 2012 "Friend of Catholic Education Award" dinner, as well as those wish to donate to the QCES Foundation's Tuition-Assistance Fund, may contact Paul Rittof, executive director of the QCES Foundation at (217) 779-3157 or .