At Elsie Allen crab feed, some fear for Project Grad's future

<p>The Elsie Allen crab feed fundraiser Saturday night was marked by easy conversation among the 175 attendees, smooth jazz provided by the schools band and 525 pounds of — what else? — crab.</p><p>But a less comfortable story was available, too, at the event for Project Grad, the safe and sober alternative graduation night party that most county schools provide for graduating seniors.</p><p>Just five parents are helping plan this year's party, now in its 16th year, and none of their children are students any longer, said Donna Audiss, president of the Elsie Allen Project Grad program.</p><p>"A lot of schools are having trouble getting parents to step up to replace parents who want to retire because their kids have graduated," said Audiss. "It's sad, I'd hate to see it go away."</p><p>An estimated 5,000 students have taken part in the school's Project Grad parties, she said.</p>