by Davy James, Staff Writer
In an effort to provide seniors from South Brunswick High School with a safe post-graduation party, the SBHS Project Graduation Committee will be hosting a fundraiser on Feb. 28 at the school.
The event will feature a team of active and retired professional athletes who will play six basketball games against various teams of students, parents, teachers and coaches from throughout the South Brunswick community.
Proceeds from the event will go toward the post-graduation “lock-in” event, which will provide students with refreshments at a recreation center where they will be chaperoned in a substance-free party.
”Project Graduation has been in place for a number of years to provide a safe alternative to graduating seniors after the ceremony,” said volunteer Kathy Fitzpatrick. “Our primary objective is to keep seniors from going out, celebrating and getting into trouble. But we still provide a party atmosphere with a focus on no tobacco, no drugs and no drinking. Graduating is a big event and you can go out and celebrate, but do it in a safe way.”
Project Graduation has held several fundraisers throughout the year in order to defray the $70,000 cost of holding the post-graduation event, according to Ms. Fitzpatrick. In addition to renting the center that will hold the event and offering refreshments, transportation is also provided.
The upcoming fundraiser is sponsored in conjunction with nonprofit Dreams for Kids, which is run by retired NFL football player Lonnie Allgood. In the week before the event, pro athletes will be visiting some local schools to talk with students about staying in school and staying away from alcohol and drugs.
The fundraiser will feature a VIP session before the game for people to meet the athletes, have their pictures taken and get autographs.
”People get to mingle with the athletes and other celebrities who may show up at the event,” Ms. Fitzpatrick said. “For people who are big sports fanatics this is a big deal to get one-on-one interaction with these athletes.”
Ms. Fitzpatrick said they should know which athletes will be at the event by the end of the week. A silent auction of sports memorabilia will also be held, in addition to outright sales of memorabilia.
The cost is $30 for the VIP session, which also includes entry to the game. It is $10 for the game only. Tickets purchased on the day of the event will be $40 for the VIP session and $15 for the game. Advanced ticket sales are encouraged.
Doors open at 5 p.m. with the limited access VIP session running from 5:30 to 7p.m. The basketball games start at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets should contact Mariann Long at [email protected].

