NORWICH – The Norwich High School After Prom Party committee is running fundraisers to benefit the 17th annual after prom party taking place next month, an event that offers students a fun, safe, substance-free destination every year after the junior prom.

The NHS After Party Prom committee is spearheaded by NHS staff and parents who aim to provide a safe and fun option for students at the Norwich Family YMCA after the junior prom, with a hypnotist, cash machine, mechanical bull, laser tag, inflatable attractions and more available for students to enjoy free of charge.

For the past few years, the NHS After Prom committee has raised $15,000 annually in order to put on the event. NHS After Prom Party Coordinator Kelly Collins-Colosi said in its early years, the after prom party received the bulk of its funds from business donations. In recent years however, she said it has been a 50/50 split between business donations and community fundraising.

"Because of the generosity of the community and because of the support with the fundraising we do, we have been able to meet that goal [of $15,000]," said Collins-Colosi. "But it's not possible without this community, and every single cent that is raised each year by each group of parents 100 percent goes to that year's after prom party."