Continue the Dream FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about VASJ's Continue the Dream gala? Take a look at our FAQs below.

When does the event take place? 
Continue the Dream will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in the VASJ Gymnasium. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

No need to wait until the gala to start bidding! The Silent Auction will open online at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 10. Learn more at vasjgala.givesmart.com.

What is the dress code? 
The dress code for this year's gala is cocktail attire.

Where do I park? 
Parking is available in the VASJ parking lot. Parking attendants will be available the night of the gala to help direct traffic. 

Overflow parking will be available in the UH Euclid Health Center. A shuttle from A-1 Mr. Limo will be available to transport guests to and from the school. Please look for the shuttle pickup signs.

The turnaround in front of the school will be reserved for handicapped parking. These guests may enter through the main doors in the front of the building. Volunteers will direct you to the elevator for easy access into the Gym.

Where do I go when I arrive? 
Please enter through the main Gym entrance on East 185th Street. When arriving, please stop at the check-in tables before proceeding into the Gym. 

Where do I sit for dinner? 
When you check in at the event, you'll be given your seating assignment. This is not an open seating event. We ask for your cooperation regarding your seat assignment.

Once you are checked in, you can reference your table number under the "My Info" tab within your GiveSmart account.

What's on the menu? 
La Vera has created a delicious menu for the evening! Guests will enjoy an Italian grazing table, a chilled seafood bar, a mixed greens salad, cavatelli, filet mignon, chicken piccata, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and dessert. Each gala ticket also includes an open bar, including some special craft beers on tap from our neighbor Collision Bend! 

How will the Silent Auction work?
VASJ is excited to partner with GiveSmart for this year’s online Silent Auction! Guests will be able to place bids online using their smartphone, tablet, or computer starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 10. Bidding volunteers will be available throughout the night of the gala to assist with the bidding process if you have any questions. The Silent Auction will close around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 12.

How it works:

• Go to vasjgala.givesmart.com or text vasjgala to 76278. Sign in to your existing account, or register a new account. 
• After signing into your account, click the “View Auction Items” button to browse the Silent Auction. Choose from the many great items you would like to bid on.
• Place your online bid on a selected item, with an option of setting a maximum bid.
• You will be notified on your smartphone if you have been outbid so that you can bid again.
• Checkout stations will be open in the VASJ Gym at the end of the night. Make checkout quick and easy! Enter your credit card information upon registering on GiveSmart.

Do I need to bring my phone? 
Yes, to participate in our Silent Auction, you must have access to a smartphone or tablet. Please arrive with your phone or tablet fully charged. 

Where do proceeds go? 
Our annual Continue the Dream gala directly supports the school’s important mission of helping students grow spiritually, academically and personally. Funds raised the night of the gala will directly benefit our students and help ensure they can continue to receive a quality, Catholic education at VASJ that’s rooted in Ursuline and Marianist traditions. By supporting the gala, you’ll play a role in helping us transform our students’ lives through faith and academic excellence.

Who is the chair couple? 
We are honored to have Don '70 and Mary Jo Dailey serve as this year’s gala chair couple!

After graduating from the University of Dayton, Dailey went to work for Coopers and Lybrand, beginning a 35-year career that saw him rise to be a regional managing partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers. He oversaw 1,200 employees spread out over a dozen cities in six states. 

Dailey has proved himself as a dedicated leader at VASJ, most notably serving as current co-chair of the VASJ Board of Advisors and past co-chair of VASJ's $5.5 million Keeping Our Promises campaign. In recognition of his contributions to the school, Dailey was inducted into the VASJ Hall of Fame in 2016. He and his wife, Mary Jo, who met at the 1969 St. Joe's prom, live in Gates Mills.

Will there be live entertainment? 
Yes! We are excited to welcome back Rick and Sharona to this year's event. Known for their Vegas-style act, Rick and Sharona Burke have performed for years throughout Northeast Ohio and in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Florida. The duo plays the best of the Rat Pack era, classic rock, Motown and more. 

Who is the emcee?
Cleveland 19 News anchor Brian Duffy '82 will once again serve as emcee of the school's Continue the Dream gala on Saturday, April 12. An Emmy Award-winner, Duffy has had a career as a journalist in Cleveland for over 20 years. He began his career in Erie, PA, where he was the sports director at WJET-TV before he made the move to Cleveland in 1999. Duffy currently anchors 19 News at 6 p.m. and is a member of the 19 News Investigative Reporting and Solutions Journalism teams.

Born in Euclid and raised in Mayfield Heights, Brian graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1982, where he earned several letters in football and basketball.