Graduation day for the Class of 2019 at Escalon High School isn’t as far away as you might think.

Members of the EHS Sober Grad committee are looking to get volunteers lined up for the event as well as gathering prizes to give away to students at the all night graduation party.

Friday, May 31 is the date for the EHS graduation and the Sober Grad event will be hosted overnight, open to graduates to provide a safe, sober environment to share their last night of high school with their classmates.

Longtime co-organizer Debbie Leal said the committee is hoping to start collecting gift cards now, in increments of $10 or more.

“We like to make sure all the kids get at least one,” she said.

Suggested places for gift cards would be restaurants from fast food to sit-down eateries such as In-n-Out and Panera; stores where they can get food or items needed for a college student or young working adult, such as Target, WalMart, Safeway, Dollar General, SaveMart, etc.

“We also need people to start thinking about volunteering that night,” Leal said.

Shifts available for volunteers will be 10 p.m. to midnight; midnight to 2 a.m.; 2 a.m. to 4 or 4:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. to 6 or 7 a.m.

Volunteers are asked to arrive 15 minutes before their shift for the 10 p.m., midnight and 2 a.m. shifts. From 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., tasks will include working the various stations set up for the Sober Grad event and monitoring the students, with the 2 a.m. on shifts working stations as needed and then assisting with the tear down and clean up.

Contact Leal at 209-639-2513 if you want more information, are interested in helping or if you have gift cards to donate.