On the weekend before the beginning of Lent, Sandhills residents have the chance to get into the swing of Mardi Gras without having to travel to New Orleans.

A celebration has been planned as a fundraiser for Southern Pines' Pope John Paul II Catholic School. The event is being held at the Country Club of North Carolina Saturday, Feb. 21, from 6 to 10 p.m., and includes hors d'oeuvres, dinner, a silent and live auction, raffles and entertainment at the gaming tables -- blackjack, craps, roulette and poker.

Proceeds from the Mardi Gras will be used in three ways -- to augment the scholarship fund, assist with operational costs and provide for upgrades in current technology.

"We want to move to a wireless environment as we prepare our students for 21st century challenges," says Rick Kruska, principal of the school. "We have just installed interactive 'SmartBoards' to supplement the facilities in two of our classrooms, and we want to equip all of our classrooms with them in the future, as well as providing each member of our faculty with a laptop computer."

Annually, the Scholarship Fund has awarded financial aid in excess of $55,000 to families needing support in getting a private education for their children. And as the operating costs continue to escalate, the school continues to attempt to keep the tuition affordable.

"Fundraisers such as the Mardi Gras help subsidize the cost of educating a child," Kruska says.

Kruska, who was appointed principal in July 2008, brought to the school a different concept for fundraising. Instead of having multiple small affairs throughout the year, he suggested concentrating on one major event.

"It will take time for the idea to build up to a planned objective of $75,000, but we are encouraged by the response of several event sponsors," he says. "Those who have stepped forward are Pinehurst Medical Group, St. Joseph in the Pines, Belli Bambini, a children's clothing store in Southern Pines, and Freeman & Barrett, a local accounting firm.

Kelly Curran, president of the Parent Teachers Organization at Pope John Paul II Catholic School, has been working closely with Rick Kruska on the plans for the event.

"We have had a very active committee, which has worked very hard for the last eight months," she says. "They have gathered some really fabulous items for the silent and live auctions, as well as for the raffles."

included are a number of timeshare vacations for differing periods of time, including one in Kennebunkport, Maine, one on the West Coast's Baja Peninsula, and another one in Florida. Added to these prizes are more than 75 baskets containing a hunting lodge package, several spa packages, and gardening, kayaking and golf items.

For the "hoops" fans, Jeff Capel, an alumnus of the school who is now assistant coach of the Charlotte Bobcats, arranged for a signed basketball memento of the NBA team to be auctioned off.

A buffet dinner will be served, providing plenty of time and flexibility for people who want to visit the gaming tables.

A casino company has been engaged to run the tables. It furnishes all the equipment and the dealers, and attendees can buy chips for playing, just as in a Las Vegas setting. The difference is that when a person wants to "cash out," the chips are exchanged, not for cash, but for raffle tickets.

"However, it's all for a great cause," says Kruska.

Pope John Paul II Catholic School originally opened in 1955 as St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School but closed in 1971. It was one of the first integrated schools in Moore County.

Reopened in 2002, the name was changed in 2005 to honor Pope John Paul II, the Patron of the school.

Presently with a student enrollment of 100, in grades pre-K through 6, the school will add Grade 7 in the 2009-2010 school year and Grade 8 in the following year. The average class size is 10 students, with the smallest having just seven, and the largest having 18.

"We are working toward building a new school facility at Camp Easter, near Belle Meade," says Kruska.

Plans have already been drawn and the site secured. However, due to the national recession, the project has been put on hold temporarily.

In the meantime, Pope John Paul II Catholic School continues to welcome children from Catholic homes as well as from a variety of religious backgrounds. The present ratio is 72 percent Catholic, 28 percent non-Catholic.

Kruska emphasizes that the mix gives the student body a greater diversity and a richer culture.

"Our goal is to be the best private school in Moore County," he says.

Turning his attention again to the upcoming Mardi Gras celebration, Kruska reminds those interested in attending the exciting party that tickets at $50 per person are limited. They can be obtained by calling 692-6241 or by accessing the School's Web site at jp2catholicschool.org.

Contact Pinehurst freelance writer Mary Elle Hunter at mhunter104@yahoo.com.