On June 14, 316 students from the Class of 2004 will graduate from West Potomac High School. To avoid unsupervised celebration the evening of graduation, the parents and friends of the Class of 2004 are sponsoring the 17th annual All-Night Graduation Party Cruise. The Cruise 2004 is an all-night event that provides a carnival atmosphere with games, dancing, food, prizes and fun-filled diversions, all within a festive, chaperoned environment free of drugs and alcohol.
In past years, this $20,000 event was underwritten with countless donations from businesses and individuals, plant sales and person-to-person solicitations. This year, the fundraising committee is trying a different angle; they are consolidating their efforts around one single event, the raffle of a new Mazda 3 Hatchback from Brown's Alexandria Mazda.
The number of tickets is limited to 2,500. The drawing date is set for noon on Saturday, May 22, in front of the Virginia Florist in Belleview Shopping Center. At that time, the winning ticket will be drawn out of a barrel by West Potomac Principal Eric Brent.
EACH $20 ticket is tax-deductible, plus, any business or individual who purchases $500 or more in tickets, will be added to the list of Sponsors on all Contribution Posters, and acknowledged in an advertisement in the Mount Vernon Gazette.
Jim Coakley, Fundraising Chairman, Cruise 2004, said "With only 2,500 tickets, the odds are great and the cause is worthy. We need your help and ask you to please support this year's Cruise by participating in this, our very first auto raffle."
Carole Kuhn announced the raffle at last month's PTSA meeting and had tickets for sale at the meeting this week. She wasn't sure how many tickets had been sold to date, but since this is the first time the school has undertaken a raffle like this, they do have an agreement with Brown's to cancel the contract and refund raffle ticket buyers' money if they don't sell enough tickets to cover their costs.
WHEN & WHERE
The car will be on display and tickets sold at Safeway, Belleview Plaza, on Saturday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold each day after school and at The Virginia Florist. To purchase tickets over the phone, call 703-660-6339.