Another successful All Night Grad Party was had on Friday, May 17, due to this great community, the volunteers, the businesses that donated, and the kids who attended!
I got involved in ANG three years ago; and each year I get all excited and ready to throw them a "last day of high school party"they will never forget … I believe in my heart, it is something every parent should witness in person! The kids arrive at their destination, which is a surprise to them, they are pumped up… ready to take on whatever is in store for them.
The entire evening is unknown to them until they arrive; they run in hootin’ and hollerin’ wondering what the night will bring … smiles from ear to ear! As they pick up their agendas for the night, the air fills with loud expressions "No way … we get to do all this stuff," "Awesome, this is going to be so cool," and suddenly the thought of college papers, tests, moving, growing up and any other day to day stress they might have is gone. They are ready to kick back and enjoy their time as a class one last time! This is where the adults’ smiles and loud expressions of "This is so cool" come in! It brings so much joy to me, and many others, to be a part of their enjoyment! I guarantee, if you come one year and witness this, you will be hooked!
The list of thank yous goes on and on … beginning with the Annandale Lions. They are a huge part of our party and we can’t thank them enough for all their work and dedication. To the Cardinal Athletic Foundation for their contributions, thank you! To all the volunteers, words can not express enough how thankful I am for you all. My co-chair to the event, Robin Gustafson, thank you! To the great business community of Annandale and surrounding – Maple Lake, Clearwater, South Haven, etc., thank you, too. Without you all, it wouldn’t even be possible. The Annandale Advocate, your support and generosity to ANG is deeply appreciated. Tom Westman, what can I say? What a guy and quite the cook! And Dan Zahler, for your time photographing the kids!
I could go on and on, but each of you will be thanked personally; I would take up the entire newspaper if I listed you all now! Please know, your support is appreciated and certainly doesn’t go unnoticed.
I encourage you, regardless of the age of your child(ren), join us in keeping the students safe on graduation night … witness the reaction to these kids’ faces, you will never regret it!
And now, onto the planning of the 2014 party! There are many great fundraising events coming up; during the 4th of July week, we sell pop and water at the carnival. On Friday, July 5, we will be hosting the pork chop dinner at the pavilion, we will be selling pie in the park at the community concerts, and of course the first Saturday of every month we have the meat raffles at Tootsie’s Bar and Grill.
Please stop by and say hi and support ANG… an organization going since the first party in 1987.
Shannon Veches was the 2013 chairperson of the Annandale All-Night Graduation Party. See the thank you ad on page 7A for more information on who to get involved in the effort.