FALL RIVER - The annual St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, at White's of Westport, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. reception. A multi-course meal and program will follow at 6:30 p.m.

The dinner raises money to provide need-based tuition assistance to diocesan Catholic elementary and middle school students.

Diocesan Development Director Mike Donly, who oversees the St. Mary's Education Fund disbursement process, says more than 700 Catholic elementary and middle school students will receive help from the fund in the 2008-09 school year, and that $660,000 in financial aid will be distributed.

For the families of most student recipients, Donly points out, the availability of assistance from the St. Mary's Education Fund becomes the determining factor in their ability to send their child or children to a Catholic school.

"I hope those who attend our Fall Dinner realize how absolutely critical their support of the event is to Catholic school students throughout the Fall River Diocese," Donly said. For the second year Attleboro resident E. Dennis Kelly, who is president and CEO of Bristol County Savings Bank and Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation, will serve as Fall Dinner chairman.

"Given the economy, the need for support from the St. Mary's Education Fund is growing," said Kelly. "We want to ensure that no child is denied the opportunity for a Catholic education due to financial hardship."

Speaking about his commitment to the St. Mary's Education Fund, Kelly said, "All you have to do is attend one Fall Dinner and see the faces of the students involved in the program, and you know why you do it. These kids are our future."

Kelly and volunteer lay committees in four regions of the diocese are now reaching out to businesses, community and academic leaders, and individuals to extend an invitation to sponsor a table or purchase a ticket for the Fall Dinner in support of tuition assistance.

Working with Kelly on the Fall Dinner in the Attleboro area are: Chairman Bill Adair and Jay Brennan, Pat Cochrane, Mark Cuddy, Jack Lank, Michael Tamburro, Larry Valentine and Sandra Vandette.

Anyone interested in supporting the Fall Dinner or obtaining more information on the St. Mary's Education Fund, should contact Kelly, any area committee member, or Donly who may be reached at the Diocesan Development Office at 508-675-1311.