The 2018 Sober Grad party for Escalon High School is in the planning stages –with graduation just about a month away – and organizers are looking for some new people to get involved.

A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain Mike’s Pizza in Escalon for those that are interested in getting involved or who plan to help out in any way this year.

This June, Tammy Alcantor and Debbie Leal will have been working together to run the EHS Sober Grad event for eight years. Alcantor’s youngest graduated in 2015 and Leal’s youngest will graduate in 2019. Joining in to assist over the past couple of years has been Lisa McCune, who has one graduating this year and one in 2020. Beckie Robbins has been taking care of all the prizes for the last several years. Her youngest will graduate this year.

Organizers are putting out the call to parents of younger students to step up and take on the Sober Grad program, including the pre-event fundraising and coordinating the actual graduation night party.

“We do not want to see it end. But it is up to you to keep it going,” Leal and Alcantor wrote in an email seeking support. “We have streamlined the decorations and event over the years. It can be broken down into smaller bits and made easier for several people to run.”

Some of that has already occurred, with April Adams and Melanie McPherrin taking over the Bunco Bash fundraiser held in November.

Organizers said the effort goes well when there are many volunteers to help, and one or two people can take on a task to help get the work done.

Volunteers are being sought to take over the ordering of decorations, scheduling volunteers and handle the decorating of the gym.

People are also needed to oversee the Tri-Tip Drive Thru Dinner in January, handle the contracts with the vendors for the event; one or two people to handle prizes and people to assist Lori Ring with prepping and serving food at the event.

“Over the years, we have put a lot of our time into this event. It is a very worthwhile event,” added Leal and Alcantor. “We typically have 80 percent (or more) of the senior class in attendance. It is the last time they will all be together as a class. We give away some awesome gifts and cash prizes. Most importantly, our kids are safe.”

For those interested in learning more or willing to take on any portion of this event, contact Alcantor at 209-480-3728 or Leal at 209-639-2513.

The meeting on May 9 is not expected to take more than an hour.