West Hartford’s Conard High School is in need of more corporate sponsors to reach the $45,000 goal for the Class of 2024 Safe Grad event.

“Labor of Love”: Parent volunteers of Conard High School’s class of 2024 Safe Grad committee working on decorations in the basement of St. Mark the Evangelist Church on South Quaker Lane in West Hartford. The theme for the all-night graduation party is top secret and won’t be revealed until the night of the graduation party on June 10, 2024. Props and decorations are kept at the church to keep students from seeing them. In this photo, (left to right) parent volunteers: Kirsten Morris, Julie Dubois, Kristen Johnson, Joy Russell, Katie Robinson, Gretchen Haimes, Kim Carbone. Courtesy of Conard Safe Grad

By Shelly Sindland

Conard High School’s Class of 2024 Safe Grad volunteers want parents and businesses in town to know that “You’ve Got Mail” – to quote the classic 1998 movie starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.

“Check your e-mail, check your mailbox, check your texts! We need your help to close the gap in our fundraising efforts to ensure our students have a safe place to celebrate on graduation night,” said Joy Russell, a parent volunteer on the Conard 2024 Safe Grad committee.

Approximately 350 letters went out by mail on Friday to West Hartford business owners and friends of Conard High School asking for their financial support for Conard’s Safe Grad signature event to be held on graduation day, June 10. Dozens of fundraising events throughout the school year have raised $16,000 to date but $29,000 more is needed to meet the $45,000 fundraising goal.

“A majority of our funds come from our fundraising efforts in April and May with donations from our corporate sponsors,” Russell said. “We are on track with previous years, so, no need to panic but we still very much need your donations now to make sure this event is successful, and a memorable night for our graduating seniors.”

For more than 35 years, the parents of Conard High School senior class have hosted a Safe Grad event with one main goal in mind: giving kids a safe place to celebrate on graduation night.

It’s an all-night, alcohol- and drug-free party held within the safety of the school. The event is free for all Conard seniors and features entertainment, food, games, and prizes. The objective of Safe Grad is to reduce the number of graduation night traffic and alcohol related tragedies. Conard parents are responsible for this entire event. No funding is provided by the school or town.  In the past, students have won big prizes like dorm refrigerators, iPods, and various gift cards, but the purpose of the all-night party also holds a deeper meaning.

“I did hear from a couple of recent Conard graduates who said that this was the best memory of high school that they had. It was a night that they felt like they bonded as a full class for one last time and it was amazing,” Russell said.

The initial fundraising goal was $40,000 but the price tag was bumped up to $45,000 to accommodate for the large, graduating class of 370 students.

“I’m really looking forward to this event. I know so many students from previous graduating classes who said it was amazing,” said Sadie Sindland, a senior at Conard High School. “I’d personally like to thank all the parents and businesses who contribute to this and help make it happen. It really means a lot to us.”

To donate to Safe Grad 2024, you can do so via Venmo, Paypal, Zeffy or by check. Click here to access the google document form to donate directly and upload your company logo. You can also visit the Safe Grad website and find the QR code for your preferred option. Your donation is tax deductible and could be matched by your employer.

Suggested donations are:

• Conard Safe Grad Platinum- $1,000
• Conard Safe Grad Gold- $500
• Conard Safe Grad Silver- $250
• Conard Safe Grad Bronze-$100

Donated gifts, prizes, and food are also needed. Any questions, please feel free to contact committee members at [email protected].

In addition to the “You’ve Got Mail” campaign, other upcoming fundraising events include:

• “Flocked” pink flamingo/lawn signs campaign – yearly trademarks of the Safe Grad campaign,
• “Salsa Night” at New Park Brewery on March 20,
• “Comedy Night” at Rockledge Grille on April 4,
• “Parents Night Out” at New Park Brewery on April 27, and
• “Senior Night DJ/Skate” at Veterans Memorial on May 4.

For the parent volunteers who have put in hundreds of hours fundraising and decorating for the event, it’s been a labor of love. Every week, you can find them working in the basement of St. Mark the Evangelist Church on South Quaker Lane in West Hartford, painting plywood, and building props. The theme of the Safe Grad event is a closely guarded secret that is not revealed to the seniors until the night of the event.

“I watched these kids grow up from elementary school and beyond. Seeing them grow and thrive, through the pandemic and through all the experiences that they’ve had, it’s hard to believe we are at this point and that they are graduating. I just love these kids, and I have so much love for every single one of them. We all want them to be happy and thrive in their next part of their journey,” Russell said.

Other members of the committee include Safe Grad chairs: Amanda Miser, Andrea Vanags, Karyn Turner, and Decorating Chair, Kim Carbone. Many volunteers will be needed to help set up for the Safe Grad event because there are just a few days to do so.

Organizers are urging parents to keep their days free prior to graduation. Set up days will be Friday June 7, Saturday June 8, and Sunday June 9. Conard High School graduation this year will take place on June 10, and the Safe Grad celebration will take place following the ceremony. Volunteers and chaperones are also needed for the Safe Grad event.

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