While winter break has yet to arrive, Deptford High School is already looking to June: The school will hold a Project Graduation fundraiser event on Saturday, Dec. 11, in the school cafeteria.
Vendors selling goods such as cosmetics, holiday decorations, jewelry and fragrances will have tables in the cafeteria from 9 a.m. to noon for customers to browse and shop. There will be raffles for prizes throughout the morning as well.
The purpose of the event is to raise money for Project Graduation, an event for seniors designed as a safe way to celebrate graduation night.
“Project Graduation as a club is critical to the school culture, especially for seniors,” said Ron Ruddy, a co-advisor for Project Graduation fundraising and planning. “It is an event which seniors come to look forward to and expect, just like prom, graduation and senior trip.”
The annual event costs thousands of dollars to run, according to Ruddy. He and co-Advisor Carletta Sherry were able to get word to the community to have as many vendors participate as possible.
“Project Graduation is completely donation funded, and therefore fundraisers like this are critical,” Ruddy noted.
Popular vendors at the fundraiser will include Red Aspen, Scentsy, LuLaRoe, Ginny’s Boutiques and other local merchants.
Project Graduation has many more fundraisers in store, including the annual car wash and food events at local restaurants throughout the school year. A new fundraising event Ruddy hopes to grow is a Top Golf benefit that will take place in the spring.
While the purpose of the graduation night celebration is to create a safe place for graduates, Deptford students anticipate the event and alumni still remember their own night, including Ruddy.
“As a Deptford graduate myself, I remember this event as a student,” Ruddy recalled. “I look forward to it every year as an advisor, to see the joy it brings the students.”
For more information on the Dec. 11 fundraiser, contact Ruddy via email at ruddy.r@deptford.k12.nj.us.
