I do not think it will help as the OP does not have a close connection. I think people are overstating the number of applicants that end up on the infamous “Dean’s List” or in the “special pile” where a few children of mega-donors and the President’s nephew land. The list is simply not filled with the hundreds of children of a friend of a friend.
And if this does, indeed, help, and the OP (whose credentials are excellent but certainly not exceptional for Ivys) is admitted, my question would be why. Why was this particular very distantly connected OP selected? No matter how you cut it (mega-donor essentially gets to select their own admits, Dean of Admissions or Administrator are seeking or offering other benefits), it looks kind of yuck.
If I were OP, I wouldn’t even want to be considering these questions. OP, you worked hard and achieved huge success in high school. You don’t need to enter this game. You will end up at a wonderful school regardless with your accomplishments.