Pocketbook Bingo Raises Funds For Project Graduation

This past Sunday, January 12, the VHS Class of 2021 Project Graduation Committee hosted “Designer Pocketbook Bingo” at the Parsippany PAL. Over 175 women attended, and the winner of each of the 10 Bingo rounds walked away with a designer handbag. Brands featured included Coach, Dooney & Burke, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Vera Bradley, and Coach. In between Bingo rounds, participant names were entered into a raffle to receive a variety of door prizes. Guests were also able to purchase tickets to participate in a tricky tray, with more than a dozen gift baskets, as well as a 50/50 raffle and birthday boxes.

Delicious food and beverages were graciously donated by Applebee’s of Totowa and Parsippany, Nicholas Markets Foodtown in Cedar Grove and Shop Rite of Little Falls. Setup and décor was donated by Robert Sposati, Party Partners.

All proceeds of the Designer Pocketbook Bingo of 2020 are allocated towards Project Graduation of 2021, which is part of a nationwide initiative to provide graduating seniors with a drug and alcohol-free alternative following high school graduation. It was started by a group of parents in Maine in 1979 after one community lost several children on graduation night to alcohol-related accidents. Verona High School has provided Project Graduation festivities for more than 25 years.

Antonia Castner, Gaby Caprari and Mary Maida spearheaded the effort this year, managing a committee of 14 moms of the VHS Class of 2021. Castner stated, “A special thanks to all our sponsors, as well as the VHS SCA, the Township of Parsippany and Parsippany PAL who welcomed an enthusiastic group of ladies this past Sunday. Thank you also to our local Verona businesses: Main Street Cottage, the Verona Inn, Grimaldi’s and Anthony Franco’s, who supported this effort from the beginning. We could not have done this without you! Thank you for supporting our kids and our schools.

For more information on Project Graduation and the Project Graduation Committee of parents, please visit: http://vhsprojectgraduation.site/