by Marissa McNees

Over 1,200 volunteers and Ypsilanti community members will come together on Saturday, May 21 for a day known as Ypsilanti P.R.I.D.E. day.

Now, we love our city, but it’s not hard to see that it could use a little sprucing up here and there. P.R.I.D.E., also known as “People Restoring Image and Developing the Environment,” has been coming together for 17 years to clean up the city and improve the overall quality and image Ypsilanti has in the Washtenaw County community.

Last year, a team of over 500 members came together to participate in Ypsilanti P.R.I.D.E. and to clean up Ford Lake and surrounding areas.

This year, clean-up sites include historic Depot Town, Frog Island, Ypsilanti High School, the Riverside Arts Theatre and many more areas around the city. Teams will do things like plant flowers, pick up trash, remove debris and other general beautification tasks.

According to the committee in charge of the event, P.R.I.D.E. is all about “volunteers, community, involvement, and pride in where you live.”  The organization’s website boasts that you “can make friends and have a great time” while doing something worthwhile and productive for the city.

As a non-profit organization, Ypsilanti P.R.I.D.E. Is funded entirely by donations from community members. Last year, the organization had over 50 sponsors, and, with the event just around the corner, they’re looking to go above and beyond previous years.

Currently, Ypsilanti P.R.I.D.E. has just over ten sponsors—with large support coming from Ypsilanti apartment complex, Peninsular Place—ranging from monetary donations to in-kind materials and supplies. 

For more information about donating, volunteering, or what Ypsilanti P.R.I.D.E. is all about, contact Katie Jones at (734) 214-0105 or visit www.ypsipride.org.