Members of the Olds High School Interact Club are gearing up for the annual Gowns4Grad&Tuxes2 (G4GT2) gala.
Its purpose is to raise money for G4GT2 which provides lower cost formal wear for potential grads and their families.
This year's gala takes place Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Olds High School commons.
Dresses will be offered for sale on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Several years ago, Karen Grudeski got the idea to obtain gently used gowns for female grads who couldn’t afford new ones. Later, the project was expanded to provide suits for male grads.
"Karen continues to volunteer countless hours to ensure the gowns are in good repair and to offer fittings for the grads after they either purchase or are gifted a garment," a memo from the OHS Interact club says.
Over the past several years, the program has not only been able to support male and female grads in Chinook's Edge School Division but also other towns in Alberta as well as in Whitehorse and Mexico.
The OHS Interact Club began holding the gala in 2016 to raise money to help cover the cost to store and clean formal wear for grads as well as subsidize the cost of more such clothing if organizers don't have a donated item that will fit.
All dresses are professionally cleaned and repaired if needed, before the gala. They're offered at a cost of less than $150.
"Our vision is that this gala will be a kickoff to the grad season and a chance for grads to begin considering their purchasing choices," the Interact Club memo says.
"We invite you to come and see what we are able to offer and we welcome your help in many ways."
"It's a more eco-friendly option because fewer dresses are produced and they get used more than once," says Grade 12 Interact Club member Kayla Praill.
She also likes the fact that through the program, students don't have to spend as much on formal wear as they might otherwise have to do.
"That cuts back on the price of grad a lot," Praill says.
Grade 11 Interact Club member Kyra Kjargaard agrees.
"I think it's a really great opportunity for people who can't afford the dress. And then by taking some of the cost off of the dresses, it helps pay for other things."
There are several ways in which the public can help make the gala and Gowns4Grad&Tuxes2 another great success.
One big way to help is to donate current formal wear that is in good repair. Donations of gowns or suits that are cleaned and in good repair are being accepted at Olds High School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"We get a pretty good donation of cocktail dresses and like, long prom dresses and stuff, but it's good to get more selection and then we don't run out and (we) have enough for everyone," Praill says.
Another way to help is to donate toward the volunteer dinner.
"Last year our long-serving local businesses responded to the call and donated food to enable us to serve a potluck dinner to the more than 50 volunteers required to host this event," the Interact Club memo says.
Contact Karen Grudeski at 403-335-4568 if you are able to assist with either fitting the gowns or
styling hair on the evening of the show (Nov. 16).
If you have any questions or can help in any way, contact OHS Interact Club staff advisor Tane Skotheim at 403-586-8277 or [email protected].
