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It’s A Record
Pride President, Cecilia Chung, said: “We’ve had an great year. The event was the most diverse ever with the largest attendance and a financial result which allows us to give back a record amount to the community. This is ‘Success’ in anyone’s language and our entire community can be proud.” The bulk of the funds are generated by Pride’s Community Partners Program which rewards organizations who helped staff the beverage booths and collected donations at the event. The list of organizations to benefit (attached) reflects the diversity inherent in the Parade and Celebration and underlines the community centered nature of the event. San Francisco's largest event also drew a record attendance of a million people over the course of the weekend. A sticker system at the gates helped boost donations and a slight increase in beverage sales contributed to the record total going back to the community. Pride Executive Director, Teddy Witherington, said: “Without doubt, we have hit a high water mark. It’s due to the support we get from our community that we are able to put on a free event of this scale with quality entertainment, ten stages, pay all our bills, compensate our performers fairly and still have $110k to give back at the end of it all.” The amount which Pride gives back to the community has been increasing since 1997, hand in hand with higher standards of fiscal responsibility and financial solvency. While there are still two months to go until Pride closes its books and the annual audit, it is clear that the organization has handled the finances responsibly and will end the cycle comfortably in the black, for the fourth successive year. The checks will be presented on July 23 at a special Party being held between 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. at Planet Hollywood. Planet Hollywood is sponsoring the party at no cost to the Pride Committee. The Presentations will take place around 7.30 p.m. SF LGBT Pride 2002 takes place over the weekend of June 29 and 30, 2002. ENDS For further information please contact Teddy Witherington at (415) 864 0831 Pride 2001 Community Partners AIDS Emergency Fund |