Rotary, Sault Pride, Sheehan
Terry Sheehan, MP for Sault Ste. Marie, has announced that the Government of Canada is funding two important community celebrations happening this weekend.
Through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage fund, the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie is receiving $5,800 toward the annual Rotaryfest, marking its 101st year as a fixture of the city’s summer calendar. Officially kicking off this Thursday, the festival will feature three days of musical performances, Ribfest, the annual parade, and many other activities for families.
Sault Pride is also receiving a grant of $19,800 through the Government’s 2SLGBTQI+ Federal Action Plan. Following the annual flag raising and Pride Walk this Sunday, Pridefest includes a week of gatherings including meet and greets, learning opportunities, and social events like the Drag and Dance night at the Queen of Hearts Club.
In addition to next week’s festivities, the funding to Sault Pride will also go towards advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ equality by pursuing and attaining not-for-profit incorporation and reaching out to racialized communities to improve and expand their mandate of supporting the local community.
Quotes
“I am proud that our government is supporting these local groups to bring people of the Soo together. Groups like the Rotary Club and Sault Pride are vital to ensuring that our city is vibrant, connected, and community minded. I look forward to joining them for the celebrations over the coming week.”
– Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors
“The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie is grateful for the donation from the Canada Heritage Fund for this year’s RotaryFest. Our Club is proud to present the Sault’s largest summer festival! This donation and support by other sponsors and volunteers make this gift to the community possible.”
– Lynn Hollingsworth, President of Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie
“This grant has allowed us to do some incredibly important work this year, including legal incorporation and policy development to allow Sault Pride to continue connecting our community for many years to come. It’s very exciting for us to be digging in and forging lasting links with diverse populations, which serves to strengthen us all! We look forward to continuing this work in the months ahead.”
– Amanda Zuke, Chair of Sault Pride