25th Anniversary Gesu Gala 

May 9, 2019
6-9pm
Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue
4200 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
 
The Gesu Gala is an annual fundraiser that supports Gesu School in its mission to help North Philadelphia’s children to transcend all forms of poverty through a comprehensive, innovative education. The Gesu Gala supports forward-thinking academic and extracurricular programming that empowers students to develop their strengths, overcome challenges, and become positive, engaged members of the community and the world. 
 
Please join us for a celebratory evening of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, dinner, live and silent auctions, and presentation of Gesu's highest honor, the Spirit Medal, to Winston J. Churchill. The evening also includes inspiring stories, art, and performances from Gesu School students. 

Event Contact: Rob Weinstein, Vice President of Development, rob.weinstein@gesuschool.org or 215 763 9077

The Gesu Spirit Medal

The Gesu Spirit Medal honors individuals who have shown extraordinary commitment to Gesu School through their loyal advocacy and actions, and who have made a significant contribution to Gesu School’s success as a model inner-city elementary school.

Winston J. Churchill
Chairman Emeritus, Gesu School Board of Directors

Winston Churchill is the founding Chairman of Gesu School’s Board of Directors. Under his leadership, Gesu School transitioned from a parish to an independent school. During his tenure from 1993-2009, Mr. Churchill introduced countless supporters to Gesu School and co-chaired two major campaigns, the Building for Tomorrow Campaign and the Millennium Campaign, the largest in Gesu’s history. He also created a challenge grant for endowment, allowing Gesu to continue its legacy into the future. Not only has he been an unwavering supporter of Gesu School through contacts and contributions, but he and his wife, Ellen, also remain dedicated to Gesu’s Sponsor a Child program, supporting numerous students' education.

Mr. Churchill’s career spans over 25 years in private equity investing. He has been Managing General Partner of SCP Partners since its founding in 1996. He is Lead Director of Amkor Technology, Inc. and has served as Director for Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc., Recro Pharma, Inc., and formerly Griffin Industrial Realty, Inc. He has managed numerous private companies in the real estate, manufacturing, technology, and life sciences spaces. From 1989-1993, he served as Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System. 

Currently, he is a trustee of American Friends of New College, Oxford, England; Chairman of Young Scholars Charter School; and a trustee fellow of Fordham University. He is trustee emeritus of Gesu School and Immaculata University and a former trustee of Georgetown University. He is married to Ellen Blumenthal Churchill, and they have three sons: John, Stephen, and Noah.

Thank you to our Gala Co-Chairs, Tad & Candy Decker and Susan Martinelli Shea; Honorary Co-Chairs, Rev. George W. Bur, S.J. and Daryl J. Shore '94; and the 2019 Gala Committee for their tireless efforts on behalf of our students. 

Past Gesu Spirit Medal Recipients

2018    J. Gordon Cooney, Jr., Esq. 
2018    Steve Piltch, Ed.D.
2017    James F. Higgins '45 
2017    H. Chase Lenfest  
2016    Peter G. Gould
2016    Rev. Stephen D. Thorne 
2015    Tad Decker 
2015    Keith Pension
2014    Ms. Elizabeth R. Moran
2014    Rev. Neil Ver'Schneider, S.J.
2013    Rev. William J. Byron, S.J.
2013    Vivienne Lambert Ehret
2012    Robert M. McAlaine
2011    Christine S. Beck
2011    George W. Bur, S.J.
2010    John J. DiIulio, Jr., Ph.D.
2009    Aline & Al Martinelli
2009    Susan & Bill Shea
2008    Ralph Saul
2008    John J.F. “Jay” Sherrerd, posthumously
2006    Mark Solomon