Skyview student Jasmine Whitley’s 18th birthday was in October, but she’s not celebrating until Friday — and not with any old birthday bash.

Whitley has organized a fundraiser for the Judith Grice Memorial Fund.

“I decided I’d rather do something nice for a friend instead of doing something for myself,” Whitley said.

Judith “Judy” Grice, the 34-year-old wife of Gerald Grice and mother of three children died Sept. 28, in a motorcycle accident. She was the mother of Angelina, 17, Joseph, 16, and Ashlie, 8. A memorial fund has been set up through the Lockwood Campus of Harvest Church, with funds covering expenses like medical bills and house payments.

Whitley has been friends with Angelina since the fourth grade, and was close with Angelina’s mother as well.

“It was really hard” when she heard about Grice’s death, Whitley said. “I didn’t believe anybody when they told me she had died.”

Because of her closeness with the family, Whitley decided to organize a fundraiser. With the help of her Montana Jack’s co-worker Dana Lariviere (who, Whitley says, “did most of the dirty work,” including organizing donations), the teen has organized a dance/raffle fundraiser event set for 7 p.m. to midnight Friday at the Wingate Hotel, 1801 Majestic Lane.

So far, response has been good.

“I think it’s going to be a really good turnout,” Lariviere said. “We’re excited about it. The amount that the public got involved is just amazing.”

Lariviere has received donations for a deejay (a junior at West High), the dance floors, pizza and drinks. Security for the dance, which is open only to students with a valid school ID, is being provided by the Skyview High student resource officer. Raffle items were donated by area businesses and include gift cards from restaurants, a $150 package from Planet Beach salon and a $975 photo session from Portrait Reflections.

Owners of the Heights Subway have agreed to match funds raised up to $5,000, Lariviere said.

Tickets to the fundraiser are $7 in advance. The are available from Whitley by texting her cell phone at 208-2230 or by visiting her MySpace page. Tickets at the door are $10.

“Not only will (Grice’s) family benefit from it, other students will benefit from having a way to have fun,” Whitley said.