A great idea grew around a table at Glynis Anderson’s house when her daughter Melanie Palaniuk and friends were talking about the recent events at High River. In a brainstorming moment the girls decided that they would like to help their fellow grads from High River by donating their dresses.
Last week the 2013 Graduation Class from High River took to the stage to receive their high school diplomas and celebrate this once in a life time event that should have taken place during the devastating flood of June. A ceremony that originally was to be held outdoors at George Lane Park was held instead at the local Rec Center, with their local school still in use by the town.
Not only did the girls come together to donate gowns but also held a car wash at Town Hall last Saturday to raise more money that will be divided out to the grads in the form of gift cards that can be used for their next step into higher learning or future endeavors. One of the attending girls, Lana Ogston said, “We had such a great grad that we wanted them to have one as well under the existing circumstances.” This then sparked an idea that grew to include the car wash benefit. “They will also be able to have money for books and clothes that they need for September, “she said.
Facebook became a voice for the plight and loss of the graduation class bringing many donations of gowns from Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and beyond. Debbie Stephenson, High River resident who works at the Nanton Health Center, became the “middle person” for the dress and donation collection. She said, “The dresses came from all over, with 450 coming from Estevan, Saskatchewan alone.” Presently her garage is housing the collection with plans to work with a Calgary Fundraising Group to sell the dresses at a “trunk” sale the end of September or sometime in October with proceeds going to the town residents.
Stephenson who has lived through 3 floodings of the town said that while the immediate concerns of the town are being taken care of, future needs will come up at such times as Christmas. “People are stretched to their limits financially right now,” she said. With the Red Cross and Alberta Disaster Services taking care of some of their present needs fundraising will need to continue to fill in the holes left said Stephenson. “We are presently setting up the structure for distribution that will see the donations going directly to the residents of High River,” she said.
At the parking lot at town hall a steady stream of vehicles were coming in with many taking advantage to get the bug days of August cleaned off while helping out for a great cause. The girls joined by a few guy friends were making a fun day out of the project. Jacquie Drew, country singer from Calgary came along to rev up the atmosphere while local businesses and the Town donated everything from breakfast items, insurance coverage and washing supplies. Company and private donations of over 2000 dollars were added to the pot before the day’s event even started.
Anderson said, “I was there to support the girls, they brought up the idea and asked me if I would help.” I wasn’t able to get down to High River before so I could step up to the plate at this time.” This will be an even more memorable year for both graduating classes, remembering both disaster and generosity. Very cool indeed.
