Fundraiser to help re-build St. Francis Retreat, October 15, 2006.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 27, 2006


The Franciscan Friars of St. Francis Retreat in San Juan Bautista announced
this week that they will be holding a special fundraiser to raise funds to
help rebuild the retreat facilities lost in the June 23rd fire at the
Retreat House. The fire destroyed the main house at the retreat center.

The event will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2006 from 4-8pm at Casa Maria,
600 First Street in San Juan and will be hosted by Laverne and Shirley’s
very own Cindy Williams. Ms. Williams is a friend of the friars and is
particularly fond of St. Francis Retreat. She is flying in from Los Angeles
to assist with the event.

Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at the parish offices of Old Mission
San Juan Bautista, the offices of St. Francis Retreat, A & N Plumbing,
1101-C San Felipe Road in Hollister or at DL & G Printing, 435 San Benito
Street in Hollister or purchased through the mail be calling St. Francis
Retreat at (831) 623-4234.

A Buffet Dinner will be served with food donated by a wide variety of
restaurants from San Juan Bautista, Hollister and Salinas. Wines are also
being donated by wineries from throughout Central California and included in
the admission price. Entertainment will also be included.

St. Francis Retreat serves over 7,000 a year from all walks of life. The
retreat reopened within two weeks of the fire to continue serving the
Central California community. However, it is imperative for the Retreat
House to raise additional monies beyond the anticipated insurance funds in
order to rebuild the commercial kitchen, dining areas, offices, conference
room and gift shop as well as a home for the friars. This will allow St.
Francis Retreat—-a major resource for San Benito, Santa Clara, Monterey and
other counties—-to serve the community with adequate, on-site facilities.

ALL monies raised at this event will go toward the effort to ”Bring Back St.
Francis” and are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law as St.
Francis Retreat is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

For further information, please call (831) 623-4234.

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