Party company's closure puts high school graduation celebration in jeopardy
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Looking through pictures from past parties, the smiles say it all: This is one heck of an annual graduation celebration. ABERDEEN, Wash. -- Looking through pictures from past parties, the smiles say it all: This is one heck of an annual graduation celebration.
"The whole premise behind it is that the kids have one last opportunity to be together as a class but also they're safe," said Aberdeen High School Principal Rocky Rocquin.
Parents at Aberdeen High raise thousands of dollars each year to give their kids a party.
"I graduated in 1981 and 32 years ago my parents were doing the same thing for me," said parent and fundraising chair Shellie Johnson.
Johnson and other parents started raising money last June. So far, they've raised about $15,000. $1,000 for pizza and soft drinks, $4,000 for prizes (every kid goes home with something) and $9,000 for entertainment.
They contracted Party Outfitters to provide that entertainment; a mechanical bull, photo booth, cash cube, casino tables and more.
"We've paid them almost $4,500," said parent and event chair, Dawn Kuhn.
But on Monday, the company that cashed those checks sent this email:
"Hello - I am writing this email with a heavy heart. Party Outfitters has been through a rough situation and has closed its doors. We are doing everything we can at this time to reimburse you the monies that have been paid for your upcoming event. We are sad to say goodbye. If you would like more information please contact the owner, Eddy Willingham. Administrative Office Party Outfitters"
The email said to call the owner, Eddy Willingham, but so far their calls remain unanswered.
"Honestly my heart dropped and that moment I didn't know what to do," Kuhn said.
They called the Problem Solvers. I went to Eddy Willingham's house but found nobody home. I also called and emailed asking him to refund the deposit.
"Please give us our money back. We trusted you," Johnson said.
The bad news is now starting to reach seniors, including senior Class President Paige Kuhn.
"I'm crushed because it's something everyone looks forward to," Paige Kuhn said.
They found another entertainment company in Oregon that can handle the party, but that bid came in at $8,000.
Parents say they've worked so hard to raise the money and their community's been so generous, they just don't feel as though they can go back and ask for any more."
They've still got the money for food and prizes but no entertainment.
"The whole premise behind it is that the kids have one last opportunity to be together as a class but also they're safe," said Aberdeen High School Principal Rocky Rocquin.
Parents at Aberdeen High raise thousands of dollars each year to give their kids a party.
"I graduated in 1981 and 32 years ago my parents were doing the same thing for me," said parent and fundraising chair Shellie Johnson.
Johnson and other parents started raising money last June. So far, they've raised about $15,000. $1,000 for pizza and soft drinks, $4,000 for prizes (every kid goes home with something) and $9,000 for entertainment.
They contracted Party Outfitters to provide that entertainment; a mechanical bull, photo booth, cash cube, casino tables and more.
"We've paid them almost $4,500," said parent and event chair, Dawn Kuhn.
But on Monday, the company that cashed those checks sent this email:
"Hello - I am writing this email with a heavy heart. Party Outfitters has been through a rough situation and has closed its doors. We are doing everything we can at this time to reimburse you the monies that have been paid for your upcoming event. We are sad to say goodbye. If you would like more information please contact the owner, Eddy Willingham. Administrative Office Party Outfitters"
The email said to call the owner, Eddy Willingham, but so far their calls remain unanswered.
"Honestly my heart dropped and that moment I didn't know what to do," Kuhn said.
They called the Problem Solvers. I went to Eddy Willingham's house but found nobody home. I also called and emailed asking him to refund the deposit.
"Please give us our money back. We trusted you," Johnson said.
The bad news is now starting to reach seniors, including senior Class President Paige Kuhn.
"I'm crushed because it's something everyone looks forward to," Paige Kuhn said.
They found another entertainment company in Oregon that can handle the party, but that bid came in at $8,000.
Parents say they've worked so hard to raise the money and their community's been so generous, they just don't feel as though they can go back and ask for any more."
They've still got the money for food and prizes but no entertainment.
I would just like to thank all the different companies that have been willing to help us with our graduation party. I am so sorry that this happened for any of us. But I do appreciate the good people out there willing to help. Maybe some of the others out there that also lost money may like to know who they are and can use their services. Thanks to Gradnights.com and Kevin St. John, Rentbull.com and John Evich, Pyroandfirefx.com - Michelle, Puget Sound Entertainment-Corey, as well as the Reptile Man, and Elite Mobile Gaming-  Alex.
They did the same thing to me! I paid them 350.00 for two inflatable items for my children's first birthday! They have not returned a single phone call. They cashed my check on 2/22/13. I'm heartbroken. Luckily, I found a company to help, but they didn't have the same items, and now I have to come up with another deposit to secure it again. My twins are going to be 1, money is already tight enough. How can these people get away with this? They cashed my check on 2/22 and closed on 3/1.... how did they not know they were closing? How is that not fraud???
Also, the checks that are cashed cannot have stop payment placed on them. Calls already made. Hopefully people don't question the party items for my children's birthday, that's my choice. What wasn't my choice is being ripped off by a company. Â
@Danielle Petersenyou have every right to be upset and I don't blame you for being mad. All seriousness though-IMO (mine only!) I think $350 is WAY, WAY over board to spend on a one year old's birthday party. One store bought cake each, video camera rolling and digital camera on stand by for tons of photos, old bed sheet on the floor, each kid wearing nothing but a diaper and each very hungry, the cake presented to each tyke while friends and family gather around and let them have at it is more than enough entertainment for me at that age. But if I were in your shoes I'd be just as pissed off
I own Rentbull .com  and have insured high end mechanical bulls, mechanical surfboards, etc. and would be willing to help.  I do several grad parties.  Feel free to contact me at 360-220-0949
Come, on Aberdeen High seniors; how about putting on a talent variety show. Â A chance for seniors to display their talents, fun for all and cheap. Â
BTW, terrific idea having the senior party at the school in a familiar and safe environment. Â
The real story isn't if they should or shouldn't be having this kind of party... they can have whatever kind of party they can raise the money to have. People rent out casinos and waterfront boat tours for Senior Parties or Senior Sprees...all in an attempt to keep the kids together and safe and (if at all possible) sober during this post graduation party. I'm so sorry they lost their money-- and, hope that they get it back or that more folks can donate. I'm glad to know they'll still have a party no matter what! But, the entertainment is pretty darn fun. Maybe other companies that do the same kinds of graduation entertainment will donate some of the same services. .. magician-- hypnotist-- etc. :-) GOOD LUCK SENIORS!
Seriously, the entire community of Aberdeen is a hole. The community, while for the most part, good people are *broke.* Broke is a massive understatement. I can understand being pissed off at being ripped off and not getting money back. I understand wanting to give graduating seniors a safe, sober graduation party. But this expensive? Really?
@BlueJedi Mechanical bull.Â
While nobody should be ripped off, I question the need for such a expensive party in a community where 22% of the population live below the poverty line. The only expenditure I approve of is the $4,000 for prizes "every kid goes home with something".
@BuddyHolly
That's exactly where they lost me. It's not a prize when everyone gets one. You must've grown up in the "trophies for everyone" cult.
@BuddyHolly Yeah, but I'd bet the prizes are more like rhinestone iphone cases rather than a new backpack.
If they were checks from a bank account (not cashier's), the bank may be able to put reverses on them. It's not always possible, but cannot hurt to visit the branch manager and ask. Especially if there are receipts for services which were not provided.
Really though, that is a heck of a lot of money to spend on "entertainment". Or perhaps I'm just old. Casino tables, really? Back in my day (ahem, 90s), a dance party, with food & drinks, would have been great. No mechanical bull or cash cube needed.Â
Or maybe some style lessons, 'cause those clothes....damn...
@Hadrian when I graduated back in in the 90's a local DJ, food from Subway and a local bakery, some punch, soda, water, a dance floor some party balloons, ink pens galore so we could all sign each others yearbooks, everyone getting 2 or 3 one time use cameras, a gift card to get them developed and some cheesy decorations was good.