TxDOT awarding mini-grants for high schools

The Texas Department of Transportation is awarding mini-grants to assist high schools with their 2020 all-night lock-in substance-free prom or graduation party.

Project Celebration events are conducted by educators, parents and community partners to help keep students safe and alcohol-free throughout the school year. The program focuses on school-related celebrations such as proms and graduations in an effort to reduce the number of injuries and deaths caused by impaired driving.

Annually, TxDOT awards mini-grants to help support Project Celebration education activities and lock-in events. The mini-grants, each $700, can be used to cover expenses such as printing, materials, postage, supplies, and room rental. Events must be adult-supervised and locked down until at least 5:00 a.m. the next morning in order to follow the rules as stipulated by the Texas Graduated Driver Licensing Law.

“Project Celebration provides an environment where seniors don’t have to deal with peer pressure to consume alcohol or other drugs or ride with a driver who is under the influence on that special night,” said Jolie Person, TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist based in Waco. “Funding is limited so schools should contact us as quickly as possible.”

Those who want to learn more about Project Celebration should contact Person at (254) 867-2879 or Jolie.Person@ txdot.gov. Applications are due by Friday, March 20th. More information on Project Celebration is available online at www.txdot.gov, keywords Project Celebration.