A project that started in 2016 when a single mother asked a member of the Airdrie Dads Facebook group if he had a suit for her son so he could graduate has turned into something helping many students at all four high schools in the city.  

Mike Reist was that man and he didn't have a suit for the boy.  But he knew he could turn to the Airdrie Dads, a group known for helping the Airdrie community and get something done.

Reist says, "I said, 'just give me a minute, I'll check with Airdrie Dads.'  Within a couple of days we had $500 raised up and we were able to buy him a brand new suit and much more."

In 2018 the Adopt-A-Grad program grew to where 16 new suits were given to students who might not otherwise have been able to afford them.  Last year, three city high schools were involved in the program and this year all four will take part with the addition of St. Martin de Porres.  Reist says they're aiming for bigger and better things in 2019.

"I'm shooting for a lot more.  One school's going to be selected for a limo ride, just like last year, so that's exciting as well.  It's just going to be bigger and better than last year, I'm thinking.  We'll see what happens in the next month or so.  I'm hoping to have everything finalized by the beginning to mid-March so I know how many students I'm going to buy for."

When it comes to choosing students for the program, Reist says that's something he leaves up to the schools to decide.

"Teachers and students are the ones working with the students who may be in need so they can better identify a student who might be a good fit to have a brand new suit bought for them.  That's the hard part for the schools to work on.  Once their parent gives the okay I reach out to them and kind of get the ball rolling."

Reist is hoping to do a presentation to the suit recipients at Airdrie City Hall as was done last year.

Reist has another initiative running called Project Jack and Jill that provides both suits and dresses for graduating students.  Reist says it's not income-based so anyone needing something for grad can reach out to them.  The only stipulation is that the outfit is returned after grad so more students are able to make use of them.  So far, over 150 dresses have been donated for the project.  

On Saturday, January 26th, Reist is planning a bottle drive fundraiser for the Adopt-A-Grad project that will run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Anyone who has bottles to donate can go to projectjackjill.org/bottle-drive/.  

If you want to know more about the Adopt-A-Grad program or would like to be involved, contact Reist at admin@projectjackjill.org or visit the website, projectjackjill.org.

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