Dry grad organizers want to celebrate Nanaimo’s class of 2017, but need a little bit more volunteer help to do so.
Nanaimo-Ladysmith Dry Grad will be held June 23 at the Beban Park social centre and at least 200 more volunteers are being sought to help put on the all-night-long event.
“Anything from blackjack dealers to ladies to blow-dry your hair,” said Karen Pedersen, volunteer co-ordinator.
Lots of kitchen help is needed, she said, for tasks like plating, refilling tables and some barbecuing.
“There’s lots of opportunities for even before the event, which of course we can take even younger [volunteers]. There’s set-up and decoration that needs to be done; there’s food prep that needs to be done.”
The social centre is home base, but the surrounding recreational facilities will also be used. Grads can swim, skate, play games, play sports such as volleyball, and even use a rock-climbing wall.
“It’s a secret, so I can’t tell you everything,” Pedersen said.
About 800 students are expected to participate in the event, which is open to graduating students from all the area’s high schools and even to graduates who live in Nanaimo but attend schools outside the district.
Pedersen said she’s seen “really awesome connections” made at dry grads in the past.
“I think it’s a good experience for these kids to see that there are other young adults like themselves that go to other schools. It’s really neat to see all of these graduating students in one room,” she said.
The event goes from 8 p.m.-3 a.m. Anyone 22 years old and up can volunteer. To find out more information or sign up to volunteer, please visit www.nanaimodrygrad.com.
greg.sakaki@nanaimobulletin.com