What do golf and graduation have in common?
The answer is practically nothing, but that is not stopping Do Something Magazine from holding its third annual golf tournament in support of the Prom Project.
Co-ordiantor Angela Pauls says the Prom Project was created to ensure every graduating girl in Wetaskiwin is able to have the beautiful graduation experience. “We rent out dresses out to girls who may not be able to afford a graduation dress.”
“With the economy the way that it is over the last couple of years, your average family can’t afford a $500 grad dress,” she added.
With a $100 deposit, girls can rent their dress for $65, which includes a professional cleaning.
Each year a number of fundraisers are held to fund the project; and Pauls says if there is a family that is not able to afford the $65 for the dress the rental will be gifted to the graduating student.
The program does not require a referral from the school or a social worker and does not employ an eligibility model.
“We wanted to make sure everybody gets a dress,” said Pauls.
The golf tournament fundraiser takes place July 22 at Pipestone Links Golf Course.
A limited number of 78 tickets are available and can be picked up at Pipestone Links Golf course or by calling 780-216-0416.
“We wanted to make it fun for everyone to come out and golf with us,” said Pauls. “Any age group can come out and golf with is,” she added.
Pauls says for those who do or cannot golf but still want to be involved there are multiple other opportunities. Volunteers are needed for the event, and businesses can sponsor holes or donate prizes.
Registration is at 12 p.m. and the shotgun start sounds at 1 p.m.
Fundraisers continue in the fall with a Kids Fashion Show and Fun Day, Sept. 30 at the Drill Hall in Wetaskiwin.
The event runs from starts at 10 a.m., with a fun fashion show at 3 p.m.
“The kids’ pageant is just a little, fun event to get the kids excited about getting dressed up,” said Pauls. The show is also a friendly competition with cash prizes for the winners, determined by voters.
The fashion show runs in two age categories: zero to five years old, and six to eight years old.
Also included at the event is a bouncy castle, a princess and superhero visit, face painting, balloon animals and vendor shopping.
Later that evening is the Ladies Night Pretty in Pink.
A fashion show, using girls from the high school, will model the available graduation dresses.
With every ticket purchased for the event a free ticket is given to a graduating girl to attended and view the dresses.
The evening also includes vendor shopping, free massages add manicures, and free wine. The evening runs from 5 to 10 p.m., at the Wetaskiwin Drill Hall.
A second ladies night will be held in Camrose, Oct. 28 at the Norseman Inn from 4 to 9 p.m.