FRIENDS OF ANGELS, LTD.
Volunteer Alumni Supporting a Safe SCHS Neighborhood
1220 Villa Street • Racine, WI 53403
FRIENDS OF ANGELS LTD. is a group of SCHS alumni volunteers who established a non-profit 501 c (3) organization dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, drug-free environment for staff, students and neighborhood residents in the St. Catherine’s High School area by 1) developing positive school-neighborhood relations, 2) sponsoring community-based events, and 3) rehabilitating neighborhood buildings/spaces.
Original Board: Bob Letsch '61, Julie Meyer '72, Greg Pitts '96, Jim Poulsen '60, Chuck Wood '60
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Present: Chris Gorman '77 President, Frank D'Acquisto '77 Vice President, Bobby Letsch jr '84 Treasurer, Chuck Wood '60 President Emeritus, Don Klemt, Dan Peterson '65, Jeff Pulda '71, Gregory A. Pitts '96
The Story of the Alumni House
October 2005, FRIENDS OF ANGELS purchased the two-story building at 1220 Villa Street, directly across from the school parking lot. Aiding in the purchase of the building were Jim Dickert '55, John Dickert '81, Marty Defatte Southwest Realty and Jess Levin president Bank of Elmwood.
July 2005, 06, 07 Charlie’s Angels led by Jim Cramer, constructed a commemorative float for the SCHS WIAA State Boys Basketball Championships in Racine’s July 4th Parades. Coach Letsch, Fr Uhen and team members rode on the float each year. The semi flatbed trailer was provide by Dan Oakes ’79 and his son Dan ’06 drove the semi in the parade.
May 2007, Renovation of the Alumni House was completed. Since that opening day, the building has provided special event and meeting space for the SCHS Administration, the SCHS Development Office, the Foundation, St. Catherine's staff and the Dominican Sisters. In addition, various SCHS committees utilize the office for meetings—Black and White Ball, John McGuire Memorial Golf Outing, Charlie's Angels, and Angel Booster Club Golf Classic. Every year, the building is made available to class reunion groups, who enjoy seeing the history of their SCHS experience documented in the photo collages and mementos that hang in the Alumni office.
The creation of three rental units (two upper & lower North) in the Alumni House helped pay the monthly mortgage payments. Over the years renters have included: YWCA “Dress for Success Program, a Dominican Sister, United Way Neighborhood Outreach Program, former SCHS teacher, and a 1st year SCHS teacher. A Holiday Raffle was conducted in 2016 & 2017 to offset cost when there were no renters, special thanks to Jeff Pulda ’71.
July 2016 a website, foa1220.org was developed to capture and maintain the history of the Alumni House along with 3 Galleries with photos of the Monday visitors.
August 2018, Siena Catholic Schools of Racine signed a three year lease to utilize the three open rental units. This included the upper two units and lower North unit. Presently the offices houses Admission, Alumni Relations, Development and Chief Academic Officer.
August 2019 Gary & Sharon Schonert host their 1st Annual Schonert Picnic for the Monday alumni & friends group. With over 50 plus in attendance it has become a beautiful tradition.
April 2022 a Blog was developed that would be a recap of each Monday’s luncheon with addition SCHS/ Alumni information. Present it is sent each Monday to over 400 alumni & friends.
June 2022, Marty Defatte H 61 contracted a landscaper to clean and replant the back yard of the Alumni House. In addition he added a new metal picnic table.
August 2022, Jack Kelley '58 H constructed shelving for the front of the Alumni Office. The shelving houses SCHS Yearbooks, Scrap Books and SCHS memorabilia.
January 2023, Chuck Wood stepped down as president of the Friends of Angels Ltd Board. The new FOA Administration: Chris Gorman '77 President, Frank D'Acquisto '77 Vice President, Bobby Letsch Jr Treasurer assumed the responsibilities for the Alumni Building.
April 2023, The new FOA Administration dedicated the building in the name of Alumni House founder Chuck Wood '60.
St. Catherine's Alumni House dedicated to Chuck Wood
Nov 2023 a video was created with 9 of the alumni guys dancing to the Bee Gees ’Stay’in Alive” classic. The video premiered that December in the SCHS Auditorium with family and friend in attendance.
Sept 2024, Both front & rear windows were replaced in Upper South & North Units.
Each Monday, local alumni and friends come together at lunchtime to network, share stories, memories and have a few laughs. A number of the guys stay and play cribbage. Out of town alumni and friends visit on Mondays when in Racine. A number alumni and friends continue to be involved in maintaining the building and grounds. This former drug house has become a valuable asset to the SCHS/Siena Catholic Schools of Racine, the neighborhood and community.
St. Catherine's Alumni Association an epicenter of good times - Racine Journal
Before
Before the FRIENDS OF ANGELS purchased and rehabbed the building at 1220 Villa, it was an unsightly drug house which contributed to the unsavory flavor of the neighborhood and promoted criminal activity in the area. Safety was an issue, especially for students, parents and staff during evening activities at the school.
After
Hundreds of volunteer hours by skilled SCHS alumni went into rehabbing the Alumni House as we know it today. The renovation created two residential apartments upstairs and two office units on the street level, which provide special event and meeting space for St. Catherine's and its fund-raising event committees.
The building is home to the SCHS Alumni Association. On the walls you'll find collages of decades of St. Catherine's High School history, beginning in the 1920s. They were created and donated by Chuck '60 and Joni Wood. Numerous SCHS alumni have donated mementos of their SCHS days…scrap books, Lances, letter sweaters, uniforms, awards, pins and pennants. They're all framed and on display for viewing. Chairs in the office were re-upholstered by Dave O'Brien '58. It's a place created for Angels by Angels.
