Five Places to Dine Today to Help Project Graduation

Graduates of Watchung Hills Regional enjoy a big send-off: the annual all-night Project Graduation event that follows the school's commencement exercises.

The idea is to provide an alcohol-free and drug-free party to celebrate safely, and recent years' events have included nearly all of the school's graduates.

But as you might imagine it costs a lot—and to make sure students aren't faced with a bill for the night's entertainment, food and prizes, the organizing committee sets its sights on raising a pretty substantial amount of money.

There are a number of fundraising events for Project Graduation through the school year, including weekly restaurant nights where local establishments donate  a portion of the nightly food bill to Project Graduation.

Here are five nearby restaurants you can treat your family to dinner at tonight to enjoy fine dining and fundraising—print out the voucher form and present it at the restraurant with your order:

1. If the crowd wants pizza, head to Cafe Giardino, known for its pasta, pizza and "Old World taste."
2. For a more eclectic menu built around down home Italian flavor, then Saly G's Mountaintop Grill, at 169 Washington Valley Road will be the place to go.
3. TRU Thai offers authentic Thai dishes with something for every one in the family. 
4. If your family prefers American dining, head to the Stirling Hotel, at 227 Main Ave. in Stirling.
5. And if you just don't know what everyone will want, try the Stirling Diner, at 1079 Valley Road in Stirling.

If you're out and about, you can also take the voucher to Chelsea's Pub, at 1051 Rt. 22 East in Lebanon, Five Guys Burgers, on Route 22 West in Watchung (you'll need a Five Guys corporate voucher—see www.whrhs.org for details), or Panatieri's, at 1910 Washington Valley Road in Martinsville.

Regrdless of the cuisine or the entrees, you'll enjoy your meal more with your family and the knowledge you're helping out a great project.