2008 February | Columbus, Ohio Pride Festival

Last year (or sometime thereabouts), a brilliant local businessman conceptualized the idea of a fund raising campaign for Stonewall Columbus Pride. And why not? People often raise money for very worthy organizations, charities, and causes through “Walk-A-Thons” and such (e.g. March of Dimes, Multiple Sclerosis, American Cancer Society, various local schools, etc.). Certainly one such fund raiser should be tied together with Stonewall Columbus Pride, right? I agree with all of you out there: the answer is “right.”

With this thinking in mind came the appropriately named 3000 Steps campaign. “Why is this name appropriate, you ask?” Well, readers, this fabulous title signifies the number of steps one takes from Pride Parade Step-Off at Goodale Park to the end of the Pride Parade route into Bicentennial Park. I told you this businessman’s thinking was brilliant, didn’t I?!

And just in case you are as truly detail-oriented and fact curious and/or skeptical as I am (seriously, ask anyone who knows me!), you can rest assured. I recently used my supreme Scientific Method skills and walked this route twelve times to make sure the number 3,000 was an accurate count of the steps. Take my word for it. The walk took 3,000 Steps exactly. Well, it did eleven times anyway. Today when I did my final test (I wanted to be completely accurate before posting this information), it actually only took me 2,917 steps. But one must factor in the -43 degrees windchill for today’s discrepancy, as I took bigger steps in this frosty mess. Sorry. And on that note, ”Welcome back to sunny Ohio, Linda and Karla!”

Now, if you still aren’t feeling rest assured at this number 3000 as being “official,” my expert advice to you is to go try it out for yourself. Once finished with your 3000 Steps test, you will feel proud, strong, and accomplished. But save your own research for another day, please. Pride is extremely important, we all agree. But sacrificing yourself to the elements of that brisk wind on the walkways and overpasses along High Street toward Civic Center Drive in the February weather won’t win you any special Commemorative Dog Tags or Pride Merchandise. Save your own personal Pride March for March.

Now that you have the somewhat verbose, yet factual history of the 3000 Steps Fund Raising Campaign, you certainly want to know more, don’t you? I know that you are having the following conversation in your head right this very second:

“Thanks for this informative, witty, and very scientific historical presentation, Jan. But what do I do now? What exactly is my next step toward the 3,000 if I want to be involved? How do I sign up? How much does it cost to get started? How do I set a fund raising target goal? How do I recruit both team members and campaign donors? And most important, will I have a date for Pride?”

No need to consult your Magic 8 Ball® with your questions. My sources say, “Come to Union Bar + Food on Tuesday, February 19, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. to get all your answers.” Stonewall Columbus will be doing a special 3000 Steps presentation that very night. This night you can join in on the complimentary appetizers and cash bar, get all your information, and actually sign up for 3000 Steps and receive both your 3000 Steps and Commemorative 2008 Pride Dog Tags! You will also learn how to monitor your progress on the website, and so on and so forth. We certainly hope you are interested in attending! I know I will be there!