Last week, the Michigan High School Athletic Association decided to move the fall football season to the spring. That means the annual Pink Arrow football game won’t be played on September 3rd as planned. However, there will still be Pink Arrow events this fall.
The Pink Arrow Community Day will held this Friday, August 21st, from 10am to 7pm at Impact Church. It will be a chance for the community to buy their Pink Arrow shirts, donate blood and stop into the Don and Betty Yeiter Learning Cabin at the North Grand River Riverfront Park.
Limited Number of T-Shirts Available This Year
Even without a football game in the fall, the community is encouraged to buy their Pink Arrow XIII shirts now.
“This is more than just a game,” says event organizer Teresa Beachum. All money raised by Pink Arrow Pride stays in the community to support student scholarships, the Lowell Clubhouse of Gilda’s Club and provide direct support to area families. In a typical year, 90-100 local families receive assistance from the non-profit which is 100% volunteer-run and has no paid staff.
Normally, Pink Arrow Pride orders 8,000-9.000 t-shirts, but with the COVID-19 pandemic throwing plans for the event into question, Beachum says the group made the decision to scale back their inventory for 2020. That means there will be limited quantities of this year’s shirt available.
Buying a t-shirt on Community Day not only ensures residents will be able to get one in their size, but it helps the organization maximize a generous donation from local business All-Weather Seal.
“All-Weather Seal matches a dollar for every shirt we sell that first day,” Beachum explains. She adds that the shirt has 11 sponsors this year which is a record, and the organization is grateful for the support of these businesses and organizations.
Stop by the new Impact Church building, across from Meijer on Fulton Street, between 10am-7pm on August 21st to purchase a commemorative t-shirt and face mask for $20.
Other Community Day Activities
In addition to t-shirt sales, there will be other Community Day activities as well. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will look different in 2020.
“This will not be a carnival-like atmosphere as it has in the past,” Beachum says. However, there will be free ice cream while supplies last, and the Yeiter Learning Cabin in the neighboring Riverfront Park will be open with docents available to talk about Lowell’s history of fur trading. The concession stand in the park is also expected to offer a Pink Arrow special.
As in years past, a blood drive will be held as part of Community Day. “The Pink Arrow blood drive is one of the biggest blood drives in our [area],” Beachum says.
Those who would like to donate can schedule a time in advance on the Versiti website. The organization will donate $10 to Gilda’s Club for every donation made on Community Day. Plus, Versiti recently announced that all successful blood donations would be tested for COVID-19 antibodies, and donors will be informed of their test results. For those planning to personalize the back of their t-shirt, the personalization can be completed while they are donating blood.
The Spectrum Health Mobile Mammography Unit will also be on-site to provide breast cancer screening. While some walk-in appointments may be available, people are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance.
Community Day ends with a free volleyball camp for kids from 5-6pm at the South Grand River Riverfront Park. The camp is being put on by TAG Beach Volleyball Club and Lowell High School Varsity Volleyball with Coach Jordan Drake. The camp will be followed by professional exhibition games from 6-7pm. The volleyball courts are located at the far end of the park which is accessible from Grand River Drive or via the Lowell Township pedestrian bridge over the Grand River.
With the change in the football season, Beachum says Pink Arrow Pride is working to adjust its plans as well. Watch Lowell’s First Look for more information on upcoming Pink Arrow events as it becomes available.
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