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Support for rainbow crosswalk project

Women’s March, feminist, and pride and transgender groups banded together Saturday to collect a “rainy day fund” for the rainbow crosswalk planned for downtown Sarnia this fall.

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Women’s March, feminist, and pride and transgender groups banded together Saturday to collect a “rainy day fund” for the rainbow crosswalk planned for downtown Sarnia this fall.

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“In case anything happens, it needs painting, whatever,” said Lila Palychuk, treasurer with the Sarnia Pride and Transgender Association.

Sarnia police officers brought their dunk tank, and vendors set up their booths. There were lawn games and food while drag queens performed, read stories and posed for photos. A performance by the Rebound Rocks band at the Suncor Agora capped the fundraising Rainbow of Hope event, also put on by Women’s March Sarnia-Lambton and the Sarnia Intersectional Feminist Network.

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Things went well, Palychuk said. The hoped-for sum was $3,500.

“We’ve had a steady stream of people in and out,” Palychuk said Saturday afternoon. “The dunk tank has been really popular.”

Sarnia’s Alex Dionne, 20, plans her next move playing a large-block game of Jenga at the Rainbow of Hope event in Sarnia Saturday. The fundraiser for a downtown rainbow crosswalk project in the city was hoping to bring in $3,500 for a “rainy day fund.” (Tyler Kula/Sarnia Observer)
Sarnia’s Alex Dionne, 20, plans her next move playing a large-block game of Jenga at the Rainbow of Hope event in Sarnia Saturday. The fundraiser for a downtown rainbow crosswalk project in the city was hoping to bring in $3,500 for a “rainy day fund.” (Tyler Kula/Sarnia Observer)

The crosswalk, approved by city council in July after a campaign spearheaded and organized by Rebound’s Spectrum program, has been estimated to cost $3,750.

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The rainbow design is planned for the north-south crossing on the west side of Christina Street at Lochiel Street and, with maintenance and the road closure fee, the total estimated cost is $5,000, said Ky Nahamabin, a co-ordinator with the Spectrum program for LGBTQ youth.

Solicited donations and sponsorships are covering the bulk of the cost, she said.

“This is our last haul to get donations, and then hopefully we’ll have it all paid for after this fundraiser is done.”

It means a lot, she said, to have community support for the project meant to increase visibility and inclusiveness for Sarnia’s LGBTQ population.

“When we have something like a rainbow crosswalk that’s approved by council, that’s supported by all the businesses downtown, that’s just a really positive, welcoming sign for all of us queer folk,” Palychuk said.

A final tally on the amount raised at Rainbow of Hope wasn’t ready yet Sunday afternoon.

The installation, meanwhile, is planned to coincide with Oct. 17 and Spirit Day, when people wear purple to show solidarity with LGBTQ youth against bullying and harassment.

“We’re planning on hopefully getting the road closed on Lochiel and having a ribbon cutting … unveiling to the public,” said Nahamabin, noting plans also include some method of recognizing donors.

“We have, I believe, one stripe left to sell.”

tkula@postmedia.com

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