An event to serve more than 5,000 people requires a lot of funding.

That’s why Rashea Ford and Adrian Ogle, event organizers of the 2017 Back to School Block Party, will be working alongside employees at Dairy Queen, at 135 Jane Trail in Danville, on Thursday night. 

It’s the fourth-straight year the block party event has been held in Danville.

“We want to bring as many people as we can to Dairy Queen for this fundraiser,” Ogle said.

Of the money brought in from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday night, 10 percent of all sales will go toward the 2017 Back To School Block Party.

They are planning for about 5,000 people to attend the 2017 Back To School Block Party, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 30, at Millennium Park. Ogle said he thinks there will likely be more than that show up. To cover that, they are budgeting a need of about $10,000, and hope to raise more, just in case more is needed.

“Any little thing helps,” Ogle said. “It’s growing every year — more people are seeing it’s a good thing and more people are wanting to jump on board with us.”

The Block Party is completely free for attendees and features food and drinks, inflatables, live performances, a 10 on 10 kickball tournament, and more. Students from Danville schools will receive tickets for free school supplies and backpacks.

This year, Ford and Ogle are seeking 80 volunteers to help with the event.

Anyone interested in contributing or volunteering can contact Ford or Ogle via Facebook.

Ogle said they hope to start doing fundraising events, such as working Dairy Queen, on a regular basis — maybe monthly or every other month.

SO YOU KNOW

The fundraising event for the 2017 Back to School Block Party will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Dairy Queen, 135 Jane Trail in Danville. All sales qualify and 10 percent of the money made in that four-hour span will go toward the event.

The 2017 Back to School Block Party will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 30 at Millennium Park. Learn more on Facebook: bit.ly/2rUsuxN.