The annual Red Feather fundraising week activities will include a nostalgic element to this year’s lineup. A youth dance will take place on Saturday, 2015 SEP 19 at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre for those aged 14-18. The event is being held as a celebration of 60 years of United Way tradition.
The youth dance will commence at 7:00 p.m. and end promptly at 11:00 p.m. This event will be open ONLY to those who are currently enrolled in one of the ten Chatham-Kent secondary schools. Those purchasing tickets – either on-line or in person at the United Way Office – will be required to present the ticket – together with their 2014 student identification card – at the door on the night of the event. Those youth who are in Grade 9 and do not yet have a student identification card must provide proof of secondary school enrollment.
United Way of Chatham-Kent has worked diligently over the past several months with Chatham-Kent Police Service to develop a “thorough and concise” Event Management Safety Plan designed specifically to ensure the safety of all participants – including youth, volunteers and security personnel. United Way’s insurance agency has also provided confirmation of liability coverage.
The Plan speaks to a number of safety precautions including:
· refused entry to those individuals who are suspected of misusing illegal substances or behaving inappropriately
· no re-entry once individuals leave the venue
· no purses or backpacks allowed
No Red Feather Dance tickets will be sold at local secondary schools and it should be noted that this dance is not School Board-sponsored.
“Every precaution has been taken to maintain safety and order at this dance”, said Erica Kitchen, United Way’s Youth Engagement Co-Ordinator. “We will have a total of 62 (or more) adult volunteers, United Way staff and board members, Chatham-Kent Police contract duty officers, Chatham-Kent Auxiliary Police, Security and Medical personnel on hand that evening.”
Ashley Jackson, a Grade 12 student and Chair of United Way’s Youth Committee was quoted as saying “We are extremely excited about the return of the Red Feather Dance. We know how important it is to United Way to demonstrate their support for youth engagement. Our committee members want to prove to the community that the majority of today’s youth care enough to make this event a memorable evening for everyone concerned.”
United Way is also issuing a call for volunteers and sponsorships to cover the costs of event expenditures. Those wishing to help are encouraged to contact the United Way Office.
Tickets for the Red Feather Youth Dance are $20.00 and can be purchased on-line at www.uwock.ca or in person at the United Way office located at 425 McNaughton Avenue West in Chatham, ON. A limited amount of tickets are available and no tickets will be sold at the door.
For more information, please contact Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, CEO, United Way of Chatham-Kent at 519-354-0430 or email karen@uwock.ca.
