County attorney’s office provides funding help for Maricopa’s first Grad Bash

Thursday Pinal County Attorney James P. Walsh presented the Maricopa, Ak-Chin, Stanfield, Hidden Valley (M.A.S.H.) Coalition with a donation for its “Grad-bash.”

The event will be held May 24 at the Maricopa High School multi-purpose room from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

“Our office tries to support all of the anti-drug coalitions,” said Walsh, who presented M.A.S.H. with a $2,500 check for the event.

“We found it to be a very effective way to combat some of the normal tendencies that we all had when were young to go out and have a great graduation night and do some things you regret later. We have found that often leads to accidents, even to fatalities, because judgment isn’t engaged. The kids that do it (grad night) really enjoy it.”

M.A.S.H. is anticipating an attendance of nearly 200 to 300 kids, according to Kelli Kurtz, the volunteer committee chair person. The event will include a fine dining experience sponsored by Peñascos Mexican Restaurant.

“We wanted to provide an alternative to the kids that provides a positive outlet,” Kurtz said. “It doesn’t include drugs or alcohol, but it still supports M.A.S.H.’s vision of providing a substance-free place and provides the first graduation event like this in Maricopa.”

The event will feature a disc jockey, games that kids can win, gift cards, a movie and comedian Daniel Lopez.

The coalition is still looking for donations of soda and water, any kind of gift cards or anything else M.A.S.H. would be able to give away as prizes. Kurtz added that MASH is also looking for chaperones for the event.

For more information about M.A.S.H., you can visit their website www.mashcoalition.org or call 520-568-4769 with donations or to volunteer.

Photo by Ash Friedrich