BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- It's graduation week for high schools across the county, but a tough economy and cap and gown costs have threatened to keep some seniors from that right of passage. So the Bakersfield community has come to the rescue.

Teachers haven't just given high school seniors the gift of knowledge. They're also giving them the gift of cap and gown.

Cap and gowns average $30 for the set but for some parents that could mean the difference between paying bills or making it so their child can walk across the stage.

That's why teachers and faculty throughout the east side, including Foothill High and East High have rallied together to lift that burden.

They've raised thousands of dollars to buy nearly 100 sets of caps and gowns for graduating students who can't afford it.

Some of the money has come from soliciting parents, but most has come right out of the faculty's wallets.

"It's great. You can actually feel what they feel when you give them those caps and gowns and see those tears coming down. You can feel that and it's a good feeling" said East High counselor Milton Henderson.

"It feels like the right thing to do. This is their night and we wouldn't want anyone to miss it because of financial need and we want to support them all the way to the end," said Foothill High counselor Joan Herman.