Organizers of Waianae High School’s Project Graduation are making a last minute plea to the public for donations.
Tough economic times have made it harder for many Project Grad committees to raise the funds needed.
Project Grad keeps the teens off the streets and out of trouble after graduating.
HPD donates up to two-thousand dollars, but other than that, it’s up to each Project Grad committee to come up with the money through donations, fundraisers, and admission fees.
Waianae High School senior Analu Irvine is looking forward to his graduation next week Friday, and even more so, he’s excited about what will happen afterwards — Project Graduation.
These are pictures from last year’s Project Grad at Germaine’s Luau — an all-night, alcohol-free and drug-free party filled with activities.
"They said it was the most awesomest party they went to because it was non-stop," said Renee Bongo, Waianae H.S. Project Grad Co-Chair.
Every year the venue changes, and the graduates don’t know where they’re going till they get there.
Analu is one of 60 seniors signed up for Waianae’s Project Graduation, out of a class of 380 — a 15% participation rate.
"I know a lot of people that want to go, and we talk about it, but we can’t afford it and it hurts to say that," said Analu Irvine.
Analu will get to attend Waianae’s Project Grad thanks to a sponsorship.
Otherwise, each person has to pay at least $150 to attend.
Fundraisers and donations usually help subsidize some of the costs.
But this year, some of their corporate donors either didn’t donate, or gave less.
So, with less than two weeks till graduation, Waianae’s Project Grad organizers are scrambling to get more to get more donations.
"At this point we probably need about $10,000," said Nikki Kay, Waianae H.S. Project Grad Chairperson.
When asked what would happen if they don’t get that money, Nikki replied: "I would probably have to cut a lot of the activities we got for them."
Fundraising for Project Grad has been tough this year because of the economy, even for Roosevelt High School’s Project Grad committee.
"Well we’ve had to work harder for it is basically how it’s turned out this year," said Leila Tamashiro, Friends of Roosevelt H.S. Project Grad Treasurer.
Roosevelt was the first public school in the State to have Project Grad back in 1990.
"It’s been a difficult year all around. We’ve had some challenges, probably our fundraising chair sent out I don’t know how many letters and lot of ‘em go unanswered," said Leila Tamashiro.
Roosevelt was able to pull through with enough donations in the end.
And Waianae’s committee members are hoping they’ll be able to say the same.
"And I don’t want to seem desperate to ask for money but our community this is when we need help," said Nikki Kay.
If you’d like to donate to help Waianae’s Project Grad, contact Waianae High School.
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
