Colorado’s stay-at-home order in May eliminated or postponed high school graduation ceremonies in Douglas County. Without the pomp and circumstance of a ceremony to honor this milestone for the county’s young adults, Douglas County Libraries created the DCL Celebrates Grads program, a gift-giving program to celebrate those seniors and make graduation a bit more special. Each graduate received a toolkit and gift card to a participating business. And with doorstep delivery, the celebration came directly to each graduate.

DCL reallocated funds previously earmarked for staff development and partnered with five community businesses to fund the DCL Celebrates Grads program. The program was promoted through e-newsletters, social media and on the library’s website, where parents/students could opt in to receive their gift by providing the graduate’s info and delivery preferences. DCL staff wrapped each gift, which included a toolkit plus gift card from a participating business and hand-delivered them to the graduates at their homes.

Approximately 2,100 gifts were either picked up at a library location or delivered to graduates’ homes. Feedback has been very positive:

• “Thank you for making these seniors feel so special.”
• “Thank you, DCL, for supporting the community!”
• “My son’s favorite gift so far.”
• “Thank you for the toolkit for the seniors. And thanks to all the other local businesses who donated. It’s greatly appreciated!”
• “Thank you so much for doing this, what an awesome gesture.”
• “What a special way to honor grads!”
• “Great idea!”