Operation Graduation Holds Another Successful Bash for Grads

By J.D. O’Gara

June 7th was a big day for the Bellingham High School Class of 2024, as following graduation, 100 out of the 140 graduates celebrated with a party thrown for them by Bellingham’s Operation Graduation at Urban Air, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“We had a casino theme,” says this year’s Operation Graduation Co-Chair Beth Ladouceur, who headed the event with co-chair Amy Robey. “A company came in from Boston, and we had dealers, and we did large prizes for bingo. A lot of the stuff we purchased, and there were donations from local businesses,” she says, adding that co-chair Robey coordinated prizes for that event. Prizes included Beats headphones, Bose stereos, two TV’s and two mini-fridges, all of which come in handy for those headed to college in the fall. Local businesses donated so many gift cards, organizers were able to add them to prizes such as “husband and wife” pillows, as well as smaller freebies to swag bags for every attendee. In fact, Ladouceur gives a shout out specifically to the Bellingham Dunkin’s for its generosity.

“Overall, it was an amazing night, and the community helped us out,” says Ladouceur, who will pass the baton to parent of the next class this year since her child graduated. “We felt the amount of donations that came in were impressive, almost $12,000 in donations from community members and local businesses in town and in neighboring towns.”

In addition to the casino fun, Frank Santos, a hypnotist, came in to entertain the grads.

Ladouceur was effusive with her praise for the committee, especially Janna Nolan, treasurer. “Our committee was run by 17 amazing women that met every single month, that banged this out,” says Ladouceur.