Mater Dei Prep in Middletown's chances for survival brighten significantly as volunteers reach a fundraising milestone.

Mater Dei Prep
Mater Dei Prep in Middletown (Mater Dei Prep)
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The Save The Seraphs campaign has surpassed $1 million in pledges to keep the school from closing its doors at the end of the academic term, according to information in a newsletter at the campaign's web page.

The target was reached three weeks ahead of the April 15 deadline that volunteers were given in February.

Organizers of the nonprofit Seraph Fund say that their secondary goal is to create an ongoing revenue stream through an endowment fund. They have created a raft of fundraising activities, concerts and events, and partnered with an expanding group of restaurants.

Their goal is to separate the school from St. Mary's Parish and continue operating as a private Catholic institution, with its own trustees. The business plan will require approval by the Diocese of Trenton.

Mater Dei graduate Brian Williams, the suspended anchor of the NBC Nightly News, made a $50,000 donation at a Save the Seraphs event over the weekend.

Toniann Antonelli contributed to this report.

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