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Finishing Touch Grad Society seeks help in supporting students in need

Feb 8, 2019 | 4:30 AM

Finishing Touch Grad Society has started fundraising again for the upcoming grad season.

The local not for profit helps ensure students are able to attend their graduation and dress for the occasion. 

The organization relies heavily on public donations and volunteer help.

In support of the Grad Society, a Pub Night & Silent Auction Fundraiser will be taking place at The Den Pub + Carvery on Saturday, March 2.

“You can buy a ticket for $25. That gets you in the door and it gives you a chicken/beef buffet meal. We’re going to have silent auction items, as well. There will be other raffles too including, a 50/50 ticket raffle,” explained Cheryl George, member of the society.

The group’s mission is to make sure every student can attend their graduation.

“We figure that they’ve worked hard for the last 12 or 13 years to get to graduation and we think they deserve a chance to walk across the stage with everybody else. We just want to make sure that we can make that happen. “

In the Fall of 2009 a group of mothers got together when they saw a need for grads that weren’t able to participate in their graduations because of financial need, and it’s been growing ever since, according to George.  

The only two requirements to attain assistance from the Grad Society are for a student to be in financial need and for that student to be confirmed as graduating by the school they attend.

“If anybody is graduating this year and feels like they need our services, they just need to talk to their school councilor. All councillors are provided with applications for students,” she said.

The not for profit organization services the entire Peace Country.

“We’ve gone as far north as Manning and as far east as High Prairie and Slave Lake. We’ve been out as far as, Beaverlodge, Hythe, Valhalla and even Grande Cache.”

Last year, the initiative helped 50 students attend graduation. The service includes additional assistance for escorts or family members in attendance as well.

“It’s a true grassroots initiative,” notes George. “A lot of the kids that we help don’t have support. They don’t have parental support, they may not have a home, or they might have parental support and they just don’t have the finances.”

There are many projects like the Grad Society throughout Canada, however, most only help girls. The Finishing Touch Grad Society is unique in its effort to support all students in need.

“The dresses have all been donated,” says George.  “We get donations throughout the year from people that are wanting to donate their grad dresses, which is fantastic. The boys get to either select a suit or rent. The tuxedos have to be returned but the suits, they get to keep.”

Goodie bags are also provided to students by the society, which includes items like makeup products, hairspray, socks or even haircut options.

To purchase tickets to the event or to find out how you can help, visit The Finishing Touch Grad Society on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/FinishingTouchGradSociety/