The unseasonably warm weather we’ve seen points us even earlier than usual toward spring.
This suggests turning attention all the sooner to an annual rite of spring that, no matter the weather in February, always needs help this time of year.
We refer to Project Graduation 2015, which is on now.
Project Graduation is the parent-driven, community-supported effort to provide a safe and fun final party for the graduating class of Hood River Valley High School.
True, graduation isn’t until June 5, but the folks behind the effort have been planning since last fall. Indeed, the planning is nearly-year-round, as coordinators take over the to-do lists from their predecessors and start putting time and energy into it in the summer. It’s a big project, and one that needs plenty or organization and, with it, plenty of support.
The Project Graduation committee is now collecting funds to pay for entertainment, food, prizes, and more. Any monetary donation makes a big difference in helping honor graduates for a job well done and giving them a safe place to celebrate with friends.
Many in-kind donations make the all-night party happen, including the donation of the facility — Hood River Elks is doing so in 2015 for the 50th year. Perhaps other groups will look at ways to celebrate that anniversary donation by rallying their own contribution, in-kind or monetary. (If your group or business comes up with a project or campaign to do this, we’d love to hear about it at the News.)
The drug- and alcohol-free party happens every year; the graduates walk away tired and happy. It’s a program richly deserving of support.
If you can help, send your tax deductible donation to Project Graduation 2015, 1767 12th St., No. 178, Hood River, OR 97031.
Panorama pix
What’s your ‘Favorite Photo of the Gorge’
The Columbia River Gorge provides endless scenes of beauty, and the Hood River News’ Panorama special section each April helps celebrate that.
Readers are hereby invited to help us do that, in “My Favorite Photo of the Gorge,” an annual feature of Panorama.
Send us your scenic photo from the past year — any season is welcome — with a short description of the place and circumstances. If you have more than one “favorite,” a couple extras are welcome; we’ll pick and choose or use them all as space allows.
Photos should be 1MB, 6-10 inches wide, jpg attachments preferred; send them to hrnews@hoodrivernews.com by March 1.
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