Proceeds pay for Project Graduation, other programs during the year
Get ready to “browse and bid” a variety of gift baskets as the PTA of Delran’s middle and high schools hosts its annual gift basket extravaganza on April 22, the association’s largest fundraiser of the year.
The PTA and senior class parent volunteers work together to organize the event, whose proceeds benefit Project Graduation, a drug- and alcohol-free party where graduates come together one last time to safely celebrate their accomplishments. Proceeds also fund programs sponsored by the PTA during the school year.
Tickets for the event are $25 and can be purchased in advance. Online sales began on Feb. 26 and in-person tickets will be available from noon to 2 p.m. on March 5 at Delran High. Each entrant with a ticket will receive one sheet of regular bidding tickets, a door prize ticket and a snack.
Once tickets are purchased, attendees can pick an hour-and-a-half time slot to do their browsing and bidding at the high school the day of the event. Baskets are assembled based on their value and will be displayed in the gymnasium according to which tier they fall under.
Regular baskets will be valued between $25 and $199, with tickets at $10 a sheet or four sheets for $35. Premium baskets will have values between $200 and $499, with tickets at $5 per ticket or five tickets for $20. Mega baskets are valued at $500 plus and will cost $10 per ticket, or three tickets for $25.
Tickets for a 50/50 will also be sold on the day of the event for $5 each or five for $20. Last year’s 50/50 winner took home more than $3,000, according to the PTA website. Additional bidding tickets will also be sold. At 7 p.m., the PTA will livestream drawings for each basket. Winners will be notified via email that night and must pick up their prizes from noon to 2 p.m. on April 23, at the high school.
“With the money that we raise, it pays for all the Project Graduation activities: the food, transportation to and from the venue and a parting gift for each senior,” according to Rishaee Fiorini and Jenn Berkoff, who chair the event for the PTA. They added that almost all graduates attend the event and each gets a gift bag at the end of the night.
Last year’s event garnered more than 300 gift baskets, seven of them were valued at $500 plus.
“It’s a huge event that the whole school community looks forward to and it gets bigger and bigger every year,” said Fiorini and Berkoff. They noted that many local businesses donate baskets.
“Donations from our community have always been the key to running this successful event over the years,” they added. “We certainly appreciate all of the support we receive and advertise the donations in our program and on the basket itself.”
Purchase of online tickets runs through April 20. Those with questions or interested in donating a basket should contact the PTA chairs at delran.mshs.pta@gmail.com or visit the Delran PTA pages on the school website and Facebook page.
