To the editor:

The next time you wonder, “Where is the community spirit in Lawrence?” please picture the community effort that it takes to “pull off” Project Graduation each year. The planning and preparations for this event take an entire year’s worth of (completely voluntary) effort in order to successfully produce this event for Lawrence’s graduating high school seniors.

Dozens of parents, as well as school representatives, meet monthly to report on the progress of the various committees’ work. Many dozens more parents volunteer to work the night of the event. All of the food, all of the drinks, all of the merchandise, including the pre-owned automobile, all of the cash prizes and scholarships and even the fee to rent the facility are donated by Lawrence community businesses and senior parents!

Indeed, all of it is done, the many hours of work by our fabulous parent volunteers and the generous donations, in the spirit of providing our graduating seniors with a safe, alcohol- and drug-free graduation night party with all of their Lawrence graduating friends. It takes a community to raise a child.

Thank you to all of you, who in any way contributed to making this year’s Project Graduation a resounding success! We want you to know how much all of the efforts are appreciated and hope that this wonderful event will continue to be supported as wholeheartedly in the future. We are very lucky to live in a town that appreciates and supports our young adults.

Vicki Lysen and Deb Carpenter,

Co-chairs, Project Graduation