Rio Mesa’s Safe & Sober After-Prom Party seeking donations for yard sale on April 2

Rio Mesa High School is seeking donations for its inaugural yard sale to benefit the school’s 16th annual Safe & Sober After-Prom Party.

The yard sale will be held April 2.

Parents and students can drop donations at the large white PODS® container located in the student parking lot near the football ticket sales booth at the following dates and times:

> Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 3 to 3:30 p.m.

> Friday, April 1, 7 to 8 a.m. and 3 to 10 p.m.

> By appointment, call 805.208.6892.

Sponsored by the Rio Mesa High School Parent-Faculty Organization (PFO), funds earned from the yard sale will help keep students safe and sober after the school’s prom on April 30, the organization reported in a media release.

“We are grateful to PODS® for donating a container for our first yard sale,” said Sandy Bieler Rao, co-president of the PFO. “Working together with the community we can ensure our children are in a safe, fun environment on a night that so often can end in tragedy.”

According to a report released by the national organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), there’s an increase in fatal car accidents on prom night, homecoming and graduation. Alcohol use is at the top of the list of reasons for the grim statistics.

“As a parent and local businessman it is my duty to support the communities where we live and work, and especially those involving the personal safety and future of our youth,” said Steve Yapp, owner of three PODS franchises in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. “We hope the PODS® container will allow organizers to have a very successful yard sale.”

Rio Mesa High School is at 545 Central Ave., between Vineyard and Rose in Oxnard. To become a parent volunteer or to donate, call Rio Mesa at 805.278.5500.