A Different Kind of Dearborn Homecoming

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 year round. 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 re-live 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.

Securely donate to the organizations of your choice by visiting the DCF website at www.dearborncommunityfund.org. Donation information will be included in the video as well. 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.”

FAMD is one of the charities that will benefit from this virtual fundraiser, and we encourage everyone to participate.

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 will benefit from 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 five groups benefiting from the event are: Dearborn Goodfellows, Friends for Animals of 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.