On June 16, volunteers and co-chairs, including Sarah Celotto, are working hard to put on this year’s Guilford High School Project Graduation (GHSPG) party for the Class of 2023.

Right now, they need the community’s help to give every 2023 graduate a memorable day-into-night, substance-free celebration shared by the entire senior class on graduation night. It’s going to be a night full of fun activities, entertainment, food, giveaways, and more at Chelsea Piers in Stamford, with bus transportation also provided.

Together with GHSPG 2023 co-chair Amy Paris, Sarah is focused on driving in a goal of $18,000 to provide for this year’s event and to leave a little seed money for next year’s GHSPG effort.

As a self-supporting organization independent of financial support from Guilford Public Schools (GPS), GHSPG committees try to raise enough not only to fund the party but also to leave a little bit of funding to help seed next year’s GHSPG parent-led effort.

The price tag for this year’s party is expected to range between $16,000 and $17,000.

“So it’s definitely not a cheap night, but it’s a great night for them, it’s a safe night for them, and it’s a great way for them to have one last hurrah together,” says Sarah.

GHSPG relies on donations from local business owners, organizations, neighbors, and community members to help.

One of the easiest (and most delicious) ways to support GHSPG is coming up soon. On Wednesday, March 15, Guilford Mooring restaurant will once again donate 10 percent of all lunch and dinner sales to GHSPG. Reservations are encouraged for this popular event at the restaurant, located at 505 Whitfield St.

“It’s the biggest fundraiser that we have,” says Sarah. “That’s a huge one that we really want to get the word out there about. From 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Guilford Mooring gives 10 percent of all of the sales of lunch and dinner to Project Graduation.”

There also be a silent auction (5 to 8 p.m.) and 50/50 raffle to benefit Project Graduation. The auction is popular and features items contributed by parents, students, businesses, and others.

“There are all sorts of wonderful things that are donated, and we’ll do a silent auction on that as well as the 50/50 raffle,” says Sarah.

In addition to Guilford Mooring, Sarah notes that businesses have been generously responding to GHSPG’s call for contributions.

“We’re very, very fortunate with the businesses in this town. We’ve already raised about $8,800 through the businesses we’ve been able to get, which is just tremendous,” says Sarah. “I want to give a huge thank-you to everyone that has donated and for them to know how much we appreciate it. And for anybody who hasn’t donated, if they can consider doing it in any amount, we would truly appreciate it.”

March is an important community-based fundraising month for GHSPG, she adds.

“Also in March, we will begin selling our Class of 2023 yard signs, and we will begin our Flamingo Flocking Fundraiser, “Sarah notes.” The first night they’ll be able to get the signs will be at the Guilford Mooring fundraiser. They’ll be able to buy the signs there, and then they’ll be able to purchase them right on our website. “

The website, https://go.rallyup.com/2023-ghspg-donation, is also where Flamingo Flocking orders can be placed and also the place to make a monetary donation at any time. To help with planning, GHSPG hopes to receive most donations by March 31. A late April car wash at Palumbo’s Automotive in Guilford is also planned as a GHSPG 2023 fundraiser (stay tuned to GHSPG 2023 Facebook page for details).

Getting Involved

“I actually co-chaired [GHSPG] two years ago with Amy Paris, when my son was a senior,” says Sarah. “So we just want to give them a great night. And we know that the community in Guilford always steps up, and we’re very grateful and fortunate for that.”

At the beginning of this academic year, “...we started thinking about all we needed to do,” says Sarah.

From setting up fundraising information and donation access at the Rally Up site to planning social media marketing on Facebook and an information page at the GPS website, the work got underway.

“We needed people to come on as committee chair or volunteer to give whatever help they can,” says Sarah. “We had a couple of meetings, including one at my house where about 20 people came together and took on a lot of committee work.”

From setting up buses to permission forms, finding chaperones to fundraising, “...there’s an awful lot that goes into planning this,” says Sarah.

But it’s all worth it, she adds.

“I know my son just loved it, and I’ve just heard nothing but great things from the kids that have gone to it,” says Sarah. “And it’s in a very safe, alcohol and drug-free environment. As parents, that’s so important for us to know that kids are enjoying themselves and having a great time, but they’re also safe after graduation.”