Every year at West Kildonan Collegiate, the 2018 graduating class hosting a Community BBQ to help raise funds for Safe Grad. With the support of our Grad families and members of our community, this year’s BBQ held at the school on Saturday, May 26th raised almost $4000.

This year over 70 grade 12 students participated in this year’s BBQ. Students worked with Grad Teacher Liaisons to organize fun activities for our little attendees. We had students doing face painting and henna art, playing hockey with young children, selling freezes and baking, and performing live on stage. Ms. Pooley’s Zoology Club set up again this year and guests got up and close with snakes, mice, geckos, and rabbits.

West Kildonan Collegiate is very fortunate to have such a strong engagement from our Grad Parent Committee. Parent Food Chairs, Tammy Neufeld and Shannon Krebs organized the catering. This year the food was catered by local burger joint Charlie Burgers and it was fantastic. Parent and West Kildonan staff member, Magda Patacz, organized the silent auction. There were also countless family members who donated prizes and came out to support the Safe Grad fundraiser.

The businesses in our community also play an important part in making our BBQ a success. This year Pizza Pizza again donated their jumping castle, and Sobey’s, Safeway, and No Frills donated drinks and gift cards. There is also a long list of community businesses that donated merchandise and gift cards for our silent auction. Without their support, our silent auction would not be possible.

The proceeds from the Grad Community BBQ go towards reducing the cost Safe Grad tickets so that Safe Grad is accessible to all of our Grads. After all this year’s fundraising, Safe Grad tickets are $65. Safe Grad will be at the Club Regent Event Centre on Thursday, June 21st.

By Suzy Martins