Comics take fundraising for CAASA seriously

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009

That is the Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse Inc.'s message for both its Project Graduation initiatives and the event it has planned to raise money for it.

This fourth annual event, Comedy Invasion for Project Graduation, will be Saturday, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m. and will feature comedians Gary Valentine and Erin Jackson. Valentine's credits include the T.V. show "The King of Queens" and films, "Mall Cops," "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" and "Stuck on You," while Jackson was on the T.V. shows "Last Comic Standing," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "Live at Gothan."

"The purpose [of the event] is to raise as close to $20,000 as we can, and we do that through the sponsors of the event and those who'd like to buy tickets," said CAASA coordinator Candice D'Agostino.

D'Agostino said that all money raised will go to Project Graduation, which is a nationwide program that provides all-night, alcohol and drug-free celebrations for high school seniors and one guest the night they graduate.

Each Calvert high school will have its own event at a venue of its choice in either Maryland or Washington, D.C.

"Whatever money we can't give them, they have to make up the difference … that's why it's so important that everyone come on the 21st," said D'Agostino of the Project Graduation events, which currently cost $32,000 for all four Calvert County high schools: Calvert, Huntingtown, Northern and Patuxent.

Those attending the fundraising event, she said, can look forward to "a wonderful night of laughter" including the comedians, a caricature artist, refreshments and possibly a jazz band before the show. No alcoholic beverages will be served because "you don't need alcohol to enjoy an evening; that's the whole purpose of Project Graduation," D'Agostino said.

She said that though most Calvert students are "great" about having fun in a safe manner, "the enticement and the need to celebrate may lead students to drink some alcohol and experiment with other substances."

"It's about avoiding temptation and alcohol is the No. 1 drug of choice for those under the age of 21 in our community," D'Agostino said.

The schools are also grateful to have the Project Graduation celebrations as a safe and fun option for students the night they graduate.

Patuxent High School Principal Nancy Highsmith said the program was "very beneficial" as it "keeps students off the road the night of graduation and keeps them from drinking and driving."

"And students love it as a chance to come together," Highsmith said.

Susan Johnson, who is principal of Calvert High School, praised CAASA for affectively collaborating the event and providing personnel to chaperone.

"They work with the high schools to find activities that students will enjoy for that evening … CAASA has done a really nice job," Johnson said.

Highsmith, who said she is so fond of Project Graduation that she helps to sell tickets, expressed gratitude for the funding that CAASA is able to provide the schools.

"They give us a substantial amount of money so the cost to the students is minimal, if anything at all," she said.

To raise this money for the high schools, D'Agostino said, she urged companies to consider sponsoring the Feb. 21 fundraiser. Previous and current sponsors, she said, include Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, PNC Bank, Comcast and A&W Insurance Services Inc.

She also said Calvert County bus contractors, Optimists clubs and law enforcement deserve praise for helping with Project Graduation.

The cost of admission for Comedy Invasion for Project Graduation will be $25 in advance, $30 at the door and $15 for CAASA members. It will be held in Huntingtown High School's Auditorium.

Det. Homer Rich, who is president of CAASA's board of directors, said that the ticket prices are reasonable for the "phenomenal" show that the comedians present.

He also said that the public should remember that, "the money isn't going into [CAASA's] pocket, it's going to help these kids have a great and safe time on a very important night for them."

lbuck@somdnews.com