Funding sought for Project Grad

By Kathy Thomson

Project Graduation organizers are hoping that donations will enable them to provide gifts to Albany High School’s graduating seniors, even though the traditional all-night graduation party is not expected to be able to take place under the social distancing requirements set in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year’s graduates are missing out on so many spring activities including prom, spring sports, UIL academic contests, senior skip day, the progressive dinner, and the senior class trip to Six Flags,” said class parent Tammy Clark. “As it stands right now, we didn’t send out the usual letters asking for donations (for Project Graduation) because we highly doubt that we will be able to have a party. So we are hoping to get donations in so we can do something for them.”

The Albany Drug Task Force has committed to providing two $500 scholarships, one to a senior boy, and the other to a senior girl.

The scholarship recipients will be chosen by a random drawing expected to take place sometime in mid to late May, according to Clark.

“We are encouraged and thankful that the Task Force is giving the scholarships,” said Clark. “We are hoping that others will also be willing to donate to Project Graduation. Every little bit will help.”

She added that although the class held several fundraisers in the fall, with spring fundraisers cancelled and a large number of graduating seniors, the amount they have per senior is very limited.

“There were 27 graduates last year, while we have 42 seniors this year,” said Clark. “Because of the large class size, we started holding fundraisers earlier than normal. We are hoping donations will help us provide some gifts for the graduates, especially those who worked so hard on the fundraisers in the fall.”  

The gifts that can be given will depend almost entirely on the amount of money that is donated, according to Task Force representative Charlotte Taggart.

“Because parents didn’t get to do the fundraisers, we are hoping for donations so they can give the gifts they normally do at Project Graduation,” Taggart said. “It is a large class, so they still desperately need funds.”

Donations can be mailed to Project Graduation 2020, 516 Kenshalo Street, Albany TX 76430.

Checks can be made out to Project Graduation 2020.