Project Graduation raising funds for safe celebration
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008
Members of the Siloam Springs graduating class of 2009 are busy this summer. They're scooping ice cream and folding clothes at summer jobs, vacationing with their families and visiting the city pool with friends.
The incumbent seniors' parents are busy too. They know that on May 23, a mere 327 days away, they will watch their children walk across the stage of Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville to accept their diplomas.
Students and parents alike are preparing for the end of a high school era. For a decade, parents of the graduating class of local seniors have sponsored the Siloam Springs High School Project Graduation.
"This is my first time doing it," said 2008-09 Project Graduation President, Beth Graves. "The officers are parents of seniors so it changes every year."
Parent Tom Perry is serving the committee this year as treasurer and Marla Strickland is secretary.
Project Graduation is a national campaign designed and executed by parents. Throughout the summer preceding the school year and during the school year parent volunteers and willing seniors fundraise, petition businesses and individual for donations, host events and sell items to benefit the Project Graduation fund.
"Every parent and every senior is more than welcome to attend our meetings," Graves said. "Our next meeting will be on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Arvest Downtown Community Room."
On graduation night, an alcohol and drug-free event is held at the high school. The money raised from Project Graduation is used to provide graduates with a variety of entertainment ranging from karaoke to video games.
"We're planning on a lot of what they had last year," Graves said. "We'll have inflatables, video games, a casino, a DJ and food."
Students check in around 10 p.m. and festivities end with breakfast at 3 a.m. Like last year, all attendees that remain throughout the night will be rewarded with gift cards.
"After they sign in they have to stay," Graves said. "Of course, if they're 18 they can sign themselves out but we call their parents."
The Siloam Springs 2007 graduates that remained at the event until the end received more than $ 150 apiece in gift cards and prizes, Graves said.
"Our goal is to top that," Graves said. "The more you can give the more kids will come."
Attendance at the Project Graduation festivities generally ranks around 60 to 65 percent of graduates, Graves said. Of the 170 students who signed up to attend, 150 showed up last year.
According to a May 6, 2007, story in the Herald-Leader, 2007 Project Graduation volunteers raised $ 26, 000 and exceeded their budgeted goal of $ 25, 700. Nearly $ 10, 000 of that was raised in corporate and individual donations, Graves said.
"We would love for companies and individuals to donate," she said. "There are still a lot of plans pending."
In the works for fundraising activities this year are Yankee Candle sales, a Halloween haunted house, and meat sales in the fall and spring. A springtime golf tournament is also being organized.
Jack Eaton, owner of the Covered Wagon in Siloam Springs has agreed to donate 10 percent of proceeds from meals served on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month toward the project. Food purchased between 5 and 8 p.m. on the designated Wednesdays will benefit graduates.
Beginning last Friday, volunteers from Project Graduation man a concession stand at Bob Henry Park on Friday nights during Movies in the Park that is sponsored by the local Parks and Recreation Department. They will also operate concessions at Siloam Springs Municipal Airport for the fireworks show, Fire in the Sky, on July 4. Listed among the menu items are candy, snow cones and soft drinks.
"I think that the kids get the gift card part but aren't really thinking about graduation yet," Graves said. "I don't think that it has sunk in for my son and at this point he wants summer to last forever. "
Project Graduation organizers are in constant search of financial contributions. The campaign is also in need of prize and merchandise donations, Graves said.
Volunteers are also welcome.
For more information, Graves may be contacted via e-mail at dbgraves @ cox. net or by phone at (479 ) 957-6850.
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