By Crystal Proxmire
In just its second year, Ferndale Pride was able to raise $10,000 to give to local charities. Michigan AIDS Coalition, Affirmations, the Dyke March and the Ferndale Community Foundation each received part of the $10,000 total.
County Commissioner and Ferndale Pride organizer Craig Covey announced the totals at the Nov. 26 Ferndale City Council meeting, praising everyone who was involved. The gross taken in for the event was $26,000, with $16,000 going to expenses such as tent rental, stage rental, and fees to the City which include permits and staff time for DPW, Police and Fire related to the weekend-long event.
This total was in addition to the Rainbow Run, a tie-in event created by the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce. It was the first year for this event, and it quickly sold out with 500 runners/walkers participating. According to Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Roosenberg, 90 percent of the runners came from outside Ferndale and that many brought friends and family with them to the event. The gross for the Rainbow Run was $21,374. Expenses were $10,478.
Three local charities each got $1,040, for total gift of $3,120 and the remaining profits went to the Chamber's general fund, helping them to hire an additional part-time staff person and begin new programming.
Ferndale Pride is a celebration of diversity that is organized by dozens of volunteers in partnership with a variety of local businesses. It takes place each June. The exact date for 2013 is not yet set. For more information and updates visit http://www.ferndalepride.com.
