9 Ways You Can Help Keep Kids Safe, And Make Sure They Have A Good Time, On Graduation Night (With Video)

The end of June will be here before we know it and, in Madison, that means two things, graduation and the annual Nite In Hand celebration.The tentative date this year for both is June 23.

Preparations for Nite In Hand, the alcohol- and drug-free graduation night bash at the high school, have been underway for a while. Advance preparation is necessary since parents endeavor every year to make a night the graduates will always remember.

Dozens of volunteers donate hundreds of hours to the project and the budget generally exceeds $40,000, requiring multiple fundraising efforts. Already this year money has been raised through a fundraiser at Cumberland Farms and during a recent tag sale, but event organizers say much remains to be done.

Volunteers met earlier this week to assess their progress and figure out next steps. Event Co-Chair Alisa Masterson said help is needed in the following areas:

1. Creating the decorations for the Nite in Hand event.  "The Decorations Committee has developed a wonderful plan and has directions for each element but needs people to come help build, sew, paint and more.  Currently they are meeting at the St. Margaret’s warehouse on Academy Street from 6:30 – 9 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9 to noon on Saturdays.  Just come on over, no special skills are required and all members of the community (other than Hand students) are welcome to participate.:  Questions? Decorations chair is Pam Arminio: pamelaarminio@sbcglobal.net.

2. Donations of funds or items for the raffle for students that takes place at the Nite in Hand event or for the silent auction component of the Senior Auction taking place on Friday, May 20th at Hand High School.  To donate, contact Raffle Chair Amy Merin: amy.merin@gmail.com. Also, people are being asked to throw parties the night of May 20th and to then encourage the whole group to come to the Senior Auction. See the accompanying video for more details on that.

3. Setting up and decorating the school before graduation for the Nite in Hand event. Please contact the Nite in Hand Volunteer Coordinator Betsy Morgan: madmorgans@gmail.com.

4. Chaperoning for a shift during the overnight Nite in Hand event.  This is a fun way to be involved, and you may assist in running a game or serving food or more.   Please contact the Nite in Hand Volunteer Coordinator Betsy Morgan: madmorgans@gmail.com

5. Calling letters and numbers for a shift of bingo!  "Believe it or not, the kids love this game, but we need callers." To volunteer, please contact the Nite in Hand Volunteer Coordinator Betsy Morgan: madmorgans@gmail.com.

6. Removing the decorations and cleaning up the school the morning after Nite in Hand. "This is a great way for underclassman parents to help." Please contact the Nite in Hand Volunteer Coordinator Betsy Morgan: madmorgans@gmail.com.

7. Shop at participating downtown stores during Nite in Hand merchant’s night on Thursday, April 28th when a portion of sales will be donated to Nite in Hand. 

8. Another way to help is to purchase raffle tickets for amazing Jo Malone London fragrance gifts (http://www.jomalone.com/) valued at over $300 at Bella Perlina where you can also see the gifts.  Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and the drawing will be held at the end of Merchant’s Night on April 28th.

9. Finally, Masterson said, if seniors have not yet signed up, parents should be in touch with Nite in Hand Co-Chair Joan Kirsch at kirsch7a@earthlink.net.