An evening of fun, entertainment, and laughter with comedic hypnotist Jim Spinnato at Valley Regional High School on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. will be this year’s main fundraiser for the SafeGrad program, benefiting 148 graduating senior high school students.

SafeGrad has been providing a safe graduation night for Valley Regional High School seniors for more than two decades. The idea is to gather the kids together for one last, safe evening of fun before they take their next steps in life. The location of the event is always a mystery, and the night’s gathering is planned as way to kick off the summer and the next chapter of life for the graduates.

“We usually have about 90 percent of the graduating class attend the event,” said this year’s event co-chair Sheila Robida.

In the past, fundraiser events for SafeGrad have included Harlem Wizards basketball games at the school, but this year the SafeGrad committee decided to try something different.

“We are excited to be holding this evening event and we will hopefully raise the funds we need for SafeGrad 2019,” said Robida. “We think this will be a hilarious night of laughter and entertainment and it will be a good time for the high school students and their parents.”

In addition to the 90-minute performance, guests will also have the opportunity to participate in a basket auction prior to the start of the show. This is another way to raise needed funds for SafeGrad, which has a goal of soliciting $10,000 for the June gathering.

“We may also hold some additional fundraisers later on in the year, but we are hoping that we can raise the majority of the needed funds at this event,” said Robida.

One additional fundraiser that is definitely on the books is Tip a Senior, which will be happening sometime in March. Seniors from the graduating class will be working as servers at local restaurants throughout Chester, Deep River, and Essex. Patrons will have the opportunity to tip the seniors and all proceeds will go to the SafeGrad program (dates and restaurants will be publicized before the event). There may also be a car wash held later in the year if more funds are needed.

“We hope the whole community comes out to support SafeGrad and enjoy a fun filled evening with Jim on the 24th. It promises to be lots of fun and it’s for a great cause,” encouraged Robida.

Tickets, $10 for students and $20 for adults, can be purchased ahead of time at Olive Oly’s in Essex, Celebrations in Deep River, and The Wheat Market in Chester, as well as at Valley Regional High School and John Winthrop Middle School.

For more information on hypnotist Jim Spinnato, visit www.jimspinnato.com.