Organizers of the annual alcohol-free post graduation party say they need more volunteers and donations to get the event going.
The party is set for Friday, June 19, graduation night for Ridgefield High School, from 10 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. in the Ridgefield Recreation Center on Danbury Road.
The party includes foods from local businesses, beverages, games, activities, disc jockeyed music for dancing and prizes, all for free.
About 95% of the graduating class of 440 students is expected to show up, said Steve Scott, co-chairman of the event.
“We are looking for donations. Every year, we begin fund raising as soon as school starts in August, but this year it’s a little light,” Scott said.
Organizers are hoping publicity attracts the volunteers they need, and the donations they need, to properly host the event.
Volunteers are needed particularly for the 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. shift, Scott said.
“It’s actually a fun time because it’s when the real big raffles happen and there’s a lot more dancing, and we have the grand prize raffle,” Scott said.
Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, according to the event’s website, rhspostgrad.com. There, donors can find tabs to press to make credit card donations, as well as to sign up to volunteer.
Donations may also be mailed to Steve Scott at his home of 46 Continental Drive, Ridgefield, CT 06877. His e-mail is steve.scott@kw.com.
The party is to keep young graduates safe from the dangers of alcohol parties. It began after graduation night of 1983, when a graduate was struck by a car driven by another graduate, outside a private home where a party for the graduates was held. Alcohol was served at the party.
The driver of the car later took his own life, making it a double tragedy.
“So it’s our goal to keep kids safe in an alcohol-free environment,” Scott said. “It’s been growing every year.”
Each party has a theme, which is not publicized or announced until the night of the event, as a surprise.
The party helps prevent underage drinking on graduation night, said Capt. Jeffery Kreitz, spokesman for the police department.
“The party provides a guaranteed safe place for graduates to hang out with their peers in a drug and alcohol free environment,” Kreitz said.
The department takes underage drinking parties very seriously, he said.
“We have zero tolerance on underage drinking,” Kreitz said.
Volunteers may also contact Stephanie Wheeler at her e-mail, msamnw@aol.com.
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