GILROY
– Class of 2003 parents have kicked off a $40,000 fund-raising
campaign they hope keeps their children safe June 13 when Gilroy
High School seniors celebrate their exodus from local schools.
GILROY – Class of 2003 parents have kicked off a $40,000 fund-raising campaign they hope keeps their children safe June 13 when Gilroy High School seniors celebrate their exodus from local schools.
The bulk of fund raising for this year’s Grad Night party will be done, organizers said, through a mail-in sponsorship campaign that kicked off last week. Past donors and Chamber of Commerce members were some of the roughly 600 Gilroyans who received mailers.
The letter gives donors the opportunity to select one of six sponsorship categories ranging from $20 to $1,000 donations.
“We’ll keep this going until the night of the party,” event co-chair Karen Bakker said.
Bakker is one among 60 core volunteers who have been working since August to put the Grad Night event on.
The event, which has a wild West theme, follows graduation ceremonies and takes place inside the GHS gym. Doors are open from 9 to 11 p.m. After 11 p.m., students cannot leave the gym until 5 the next morning unless a parent pulls them out.
“This is the last chance for the graduating class to be together in an environment that will keep them safe and entertained. That’s the purpose of Grad Night,” event co-chair Jody Yusim said. “We’re giving a party for 250 kids.”
Besides food and dancing, Grad Night will feature a hypnotist show, casino games, massages and nail painting.
Other elements of the Grad Night fund-raising effort include a May 3 rummage sale and May 9 raffle both held at the high school. The raffle’s top prize is $1,000. Other prizes include a Lazy Boy recliner (or $400 gift certificate) donated by Rosso’s Furniture and two-night stays at area bed and breakfasts.
The raffle will be drawn May 9 at the high school during lunch. The May 3 rummage sale will be held at the school on the corner of Princevalle and 10th streets.
The yearly See’s candy drive, which finished up in February, is another component of Grad Night fund raising. The drive brought in more than $2,400.
Grad Night planning comes with mixed emotions for parents. There is excitement about the over-the-top bash the community will throw for their children, which is mixed with the reality that this group of students will not be in one place at one time maybe ever again.
“This was an extremely close class,” Yusim said. “Some of the parents who are planning this have been planning things together for 13 years.”
For more information on how to donate to Grad Night, call Karen Bakker at 847-5429.
