Pool backers raise $3K in 1 day

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Supporters hoping to raise $175,000 to open two Grand Rapids city pools raised a little more than $3,000 in the first full day of the effort, the executive director of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks told 24 Hour News 8 on Thursday.

The fundraising total is mostly made up of online donations, executive director Steve Faber said. Checks that have been sent by mail may not have been counted yet.

"It's early but you can tell we're starting to pick up some great steam," Faber said. "I think there's a real sort of grassroots groundswell starting to form around this."

That said, backers are hoping to get some larger donations in the coming days, he said. Supporters hope to raise the funds by June 4, city Commissioner Rosalynn Bliss said Wednesday.

"We've sent out a plea to all the people who have given in the past," Faber said, including those who have given $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000 before. "We've gotten some good verbal commitments."

A music concert this weekend, dubbed Country Palooza, will donate 15 percent of food and drink proceeds to the effort, organizers said. Faber said he believes those funds will make a dent in the $175,000 goal.

The campaign is aimed at opening pools at Briggs and Martin Luther King parks for the summer. Businessman Bob Sullivan has pledged the money needed to open the pool at Richmond Park.

Those wishing to donate can do so online or by sending a check to the city treasurer's office with "pools" in the memo line.