Generosity may have saved grad night party

What if we told you we knew of a way to ensure Carson City High School students would be safe on a night notorious for drinking and accidents? Would you be willing to open up your purse or wallet?

We're talking, of course, about Safe Grad Night, an event organizers were considering canceling earlier this week because of financial problems. They were about $18,000 short of the $35,000 in donations needed for the June 10 event.

Today, they're still short, but there are indications that Carson City residents are doing what they always do in such times - supporting a worthy cause.

Since a story ran Wednesday in the Appeal, raffle coordinator Teri Norgrove has taken several calls. Among them was a local attorney who gave $1,000. Another person gave $500, and two others gave $200 each.

That's not surprising in Carson City, but it's still only a start. And it doesn't mean you need to give as much ... any donation will help, according to Norgrove.

Another effort under way, by auto dealer Bill Grow, could bring in thousands more. He's challenging other auto dealers to donate the equivalent of 10 document-preparation fees to the cause.

All of this has organizers much more confident that they'll be able to put on the event. More than half of the 464 seniors have already signed up for the party, which includes movies, a dance and a trip to Six Flags on the following day.

But the real bottom line is it will keep kids safe, and that's a cause worth supporting.