On July 21, a coalition of local volunteers launched the first Disability Pride Celebration. This event was not driven by a particular organization but was truly a collaboration of organizations and community members who value and appreciate people with disabilities in our community.
Thank you to the following businesses who contributed financially to this event: Creative Source (Hayden Garrison), SAIL, REACH, Champney Consulting, Juneau Youth Services, IGA, Fred Meyers, Safeway, Costco, Collette Costa/Gold Town, TIDES and Annie Kincheloe with A Sign of Design. And thanks to Coppa for being there to provide ice cream on that sunny day!
Also a huge thank you to the following community members who contributed their time and talents: the Latseeni Al’eix Dancers, Mindy Rowland, the JamBusters and Dale Wygant. Thank you to our brave speakers: Annie Geselle, Nolan Harvey and Matthew Talley.
Thank you to folks who did the legwork: Teri Tibbett, Lori King, Rick Driscoll, Charlie Ford, Kate Wolfe, Matt Talley, Christine Culliton, Kimberly Adkison, Sherri McDonald, Willow Gonzalez, Reid Tippets, Hayden Garrison, Pat Minick, Tristan Knutson-Lombardo, Melvin Starr, Luis Hernandez, Kim Champney, and the great helpers from Juneau Youth Services’ Lighthouse Program.
Thank you to everyone who came and showed your support. We will be back next year!
Kim Champney,
The Juneau Disability Pride Coalition
