DEARBORN COMMUNITY FUND

Supporting programs that enhance quality of life and contribute to the vibrancy of the city of Dearborn, Michigan

2020 Dearborn Homecoming Virtual Fundraiser Report

The Dearborn Community Fund (DCF) and the City of Dearborn were pleased to support the 21
Homecoming non-profit partners with a Virtual Fundraiser on August 7, 8, 9. These organizations were
deeply affected by the cancellation of Homecoming 2020 due to health concerns related to the Covid 19
pandemic. The fundraiser video produced by the very able staff at CDTV highlighted the 21 organizations
providing great insight into the work each does and how it impacts the greater Dearborn community
throughout the year. Each organization was contacted to determine interest and asked to help promote
the event by means of promoting via their organization websites, social media, emails and personal
contacts.

A total of $9,125 was raised and distributed to organizations. Donations could be made to a general
category to be shared equally by all 21 or designated to a specific organization. The Dearborn
Community Fund was NOT one of the 21 organizations and did not benefit financially from the Virtual
Fundraiser.

We thank each and every one who supported the Virtual Fundraiser 2020. Special thanks go out to
Beaumont, LaFontaine Motors and Comcast for their continued Homecoming sponsor support.

Dearborn Homecoming 2020 Online

A Different Kind of Dearborn Homecoming August 7-9, 2020

Virtual and Real Fundraisers to Benefit 21 Local Charity Homecoming Partners
Click here to download printable flier
The Dearborn community eagerly looks forward to the Homecoming festival each August, and so do the two dozen service clubs, charity groups and cultural arts organizations that raise money and awareness at the event for the good work they do yearround.
With the 2020 cancellation due to COVID-19 health concerns, the City of Dearborn and the nonprofit Dearborn Community Fund are offering residents a chance to relive some Homecoming moments and support the nonprofit organizations that help define the festival experience.

The charitable groups are the ones that normally sell festival favorites, like pizza, tacos, shwarma, pierogis, beer, curly chips, t-shirts and more, raising more than $70,000 each year. They take that money and support veterans, help needy families, provide scholarships, promote animal adoption, fund youth sports and promote the cultural arts.

So, on August 7-9, which would have been the Homecoming weekend, the City and the DCF will present a virtual fundraiser that will be aired continuously on the government access channel, CDTV, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

The last airing at 9 p.m. each day will conclude with a replay of fireworks from a past Homecoming  – always a thrilling treat! The video will also be available on www.cityofdearborn.org to watch as a live stream or on demand.

Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. is encouraging participation in the virtual fundraiser.
“Homecoming is a Dearborn tradition, and I know we are all going to miss it this year. For our nonprofits, the cancellation is more than just missing out on summertime fun. They depend on the event to fundraise for the important work they do in our community all year long,” said Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr.
“You’ll feel good donating to them, and feel connected to Homecoming through this expression of community spirit.”

Dearborn Homecoming nonprofit partners benefitting from the virtual fundraiser are: ACCESS, American Legion, American Moslem Society, Bike Dearborn, Ceramics Club/Henry Ford College, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce, Dearborn Community Arts Council, Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive, Dearborn Historical Museum, Dearborn Police Explorers, Dearborn Rotary, Exchange Club, Fairlane Alliance Church, Fordson Varsity Alumni Club, Friends for Animals Metro Detroit, Goodfellows, Kiwanis Club Dearborn Outer Drive, Knights of Columbus, Warrendale Community Church, and WHFR Radio/Henry Ford College.

The Homecoming 2020 video fundraiser is sponsored by Beaumont with additional support from IX Publishing. The honorary committee includes: Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr.; Dearborn City Council President Susan Dabaja; Council President Pro Tem Mike Sareini; Councilman David Bazzy; Councilman Robert Abraham; Councilwoman Erin Byrnes; Councilwoman Leslie Herrick; Councilman Brian O’Donnell; Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud, and Wayne County Commissioner Sam Baydoun.

Donations can be made online via PayPal or by check made payable to:
Dearborn Community Fund
HOMECOMING 2020
15801 Michigan Avenue
Dearborn, MI 48126
*In check notation area, lease include organization name you wish to support.

For more information, visit www.dearborncommuityfund.org or call the Department of Public Information at (313) 943-2285.

Wait, There is More!

Drive-through chicken dinner charity fundraiser Aug. 8

In addition to the video fundraiser, and the ability to donate to the nonprofit groups at any time at dearborncommunityfund.org, five of the Homecoming organizations are hosting a drive-through chicken dinner on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
For a contribution of at least $10, dinners include half a BBQ chicken, corn on the cob and a baked potato. The drive-through pick up will be at the former Kroger parking lot at 23000 Michigan Ave. at Outer Drive.
The fiver groups hosting the event to raise money for their causes are: Dearborn Goodfellows, Friends for Animals Metro Detroit, Dearborn Exchange Club, Dearborn Burn Drive and the Fordson Varsity Alumni Club.For details about the Homecoming chicken dinner, contact Park Place Banquets & Catering at (313) 274-4499.
Service clubs, charity organizations and cultural arts groups rely on Homecoming to raise funds for their good work in Dearborn all year round.  In 2020, fundraising will be through a virtual event on Aug. 7-9 shown on cable television, with additional access via www.cityofdearborn.org and through social media. A separate but related fundraiser of a drive-through chicken dinner will also take place Aug. 8.