Many Dearborn nonprofit groups participate in Homecoming to raise money for the Dearborn community and beyond, including the Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive and the vegetables that support their renowned Free Corn on the Cob booth.

Dearborn’s annual Homecoming festival takes place August 5-7 at Ford Field Park, and even though it is in its 32nd year, many people may be surprised to learn that the event has always been a major fundraiser for Dearborn nonprofit groups.

So when you are buying pierogis, Italian sausages, hot dogs, dippin dots, lemonade, waffle fries or other treats, you are also supporting nonprofit causes that strengthen our community.

More than 30 nonprofit groups participate in Homecoming, with more than 20 involved directly in fundraising.

In fact, all the food and beverage booths outside of the carnival area are exclusively organized and staffed by nonprofit groups, and the money raised in the booths goes to the organizations.

Combined, these groups raise about $70,000 each year for causes that benefit the Dearborn community and beyond.

Among those are: supporting veterans in need, rescuing abandoned animals, providing scholarships, assisting people who are visually impaired, supporting youth sports programs, supplementing funds for high school activities, helping children injured by burns or giving a boost to unemployed families.

This year, the City has teamed up with the Dearborn Community Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural arts and recreation, in an effort to emphasize Homecoming’s charitable aspects.

The Dearborn-based nonprofit groups involved in Homecoming are as follows:

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), Dearborn Area Board of Realtors, Dearborn Chamber of Commerce, Dearborn Chapter Order of DeMolay, and the Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns.

Also, Dearborn Community Arts Council, Dearborn Education Foundation, the Dearborn Exchange Club, Dearborn Federation of Teachers and the Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive.

The Dearborn High Athletic Booster Club, Dearborn Lions Club, Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Club, Dearborn Youth Football Association, Divine Child Men’s Club, Edsel Ford High School Booster Club and the Fordson Varsity Alumni Club.

Father O’Kelley Knights of Columbus, Fort Dearborn American Legion Post 364, Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter, Italian American Fraternal Club of Dearborn, the Lebanese American Heritage Club and the Michigan-Dearborn Alumni Legacy Foundation.

The Polish League of American Veterans Post 75, Stout Middle School PFSO, The Going Green Foundation, VFW Post 2107 Men’s Auxiliary and the Henry Ford Community College’s radio station WHFR.

Religious institutions also take part: Fairlane Alliance Church, Guardian Lutheran School, St. Clement Orthodox Church, The American Moslem Society and Warrendale Community Church.

More details of some of the groups’ community activities:

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