Saint Louis School president Judge Walter Kirimitsu and Sacred Hearts Head of School Betty White will vie for bragging rights and the chance to outfit the opposition in their school athletic jersey for a day. The neighboring schools have teamed up for a Mother's Day Weekend Book Fair at Barnes & Noble Kahala Mall (May 7 9, 2010) that will allow them to earn up to 20% of in-store and online customer purchases (certain items excluded). To direct funds to either school, shoppers must present a school book fair voucher (downloadable at http://www.bookshawaii.net/ProphecyFundraiser) or simply mention either school at checkout. Online purchases may be made through May 14, and require the school ID code, printed on the vouchers (see website for details). The schools' earnings percentage increases based on the amount of merchandise sold.

Kirimitsu and White will exchange athletic jerseys on Saturday, May 8, at 1pm. The head of school whose institution earns the most in-store purchase revenue during the weekend-long book fair will be declared the winner and take home bragging rights while the loser must wear the opposition's jersey for a full school day. The wager outcome will be announced during in-school assemblies later in May.

The jersey exchange is just one of the planned book fair events. Following the exchange, author Lance Tominaga will sign copies of "A Prophecy Fulfilled: The Story of Clarence T.C. Ching," a newly released biography of the philanthropic developer. Ray Tam, Ching's nephew, will share his uncle's legacy and his rags to riches story, followed by a presentation from Saint Louis 7th graders on Ching's time at their school. Raised on Kauai, the son of Chinese immigrant farm workers, Clarence T.C. Ching was able to overcome many personal challenges in his lifetime. He graduated from Saint Louis School in 1932, a respected student leader and champion boxer, and went on to become a successful developer, community leader and humanitarian. He established one of the most generous foundations in the state which, since 2007, has committed over $35 million in grants to Hawaii schools and non-profit organizations benefiting Hawaii's needy.

Kirimitsu and White, along with Saint Louis School principal Patricia Hamamoto, will read from their favorite children's books on Saturday, May 8, from 1:45-2:30pm. Saint Louis and Sacred Hearts Student Spirit Stations will offer free gift-wrapping services on Friday (3-6pm and 7-10pm) and Saturday (11am 4pm).

The weekend-long event is one of several planned by The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation. The Foundation has partnered with Hawaii schools to raise money for student programs through sales of "A Prophecy Fulfilled." A three-month-long island-wide effort has already infused approximately $58,000 into 29 local high school programs.

For more information on purchasing the book or upcoming fundraising events, contact Russell A. Valente, at rvalente@saintlouishawaii.org or (808) 739-4812.