Fundraising efforts are now underway for Thunder Pride’s crosswalk projects in the Bay and Algoma and Donald and May Street areas. Money needs to be in place by early 2020 and Thunder Pride has launched a GoFundMe page to take donations. Chair Jason Veltri tells us they are looking to raise up to 50% of the cost which could be between $10,000 to $15,000. City Council on Monday night decided to put $28,000 in the 2020 budget for the project. The final financial figures will be updated during the budget deliberations when a final decision on funding will be made.
In the past 24 hours since the campaign was launched a $1,000 has been raised with Thunder Pride matching donations meaning the total now sits at $2,000. Thunder Pride is committing to match funds up to $5,000. Veltri says they are very encouraged by early donations and says it’s wonderful especially after a trying week since the project was first made public. The Thunder Pride Chair adds it proves the city is behind them.
The planning phase for the project is currently underway and is expected to wrap up in February of 2020. The plan is to have the crosswalks installed by June 1st, 2020, which marks the association’s 10th anniversary.
Veltri stresses “this is more than just paint on the road, it’s about our city stepping up that all people are included and welcome in our city.” The crosswalks represent acceptance.
If more money is raised than expected it could go towards future crosswalk projects in our city that would incorporate the two-spirited community. Veltri says, “we want to paint a NAN and Fort William First Nation two-spirited flag logo on a crosswalk.” Veltri adds that he would like to see PRIDE crosswalks in multiple neighbourhoods in our city.
The Thunder Pride Chair suggests other Pride organizations in Dryden, Kenora and the Borderland are watching how Thunder Bay’s crosswalks unfold because they would like to do the same. Once the lines are painted here in Thunder Bay, our community will be the first in northwestern Ontario to have the rainbow and trans coloured flag crosswalks.
