Hamtramck's Labor Day festival in the hands of the community

Because of financial constraints in Hamtramck, the city's Labor Day Festival is asking for volunteers and members of the community to step up, help out, and raise some funds. The newspaper of record for Hamtramck, the Review, is holding a fundraiser on Aug. 7 at the paper's office at 3020 Caniff.

Excerpt from the Hamtramck Review:

This year's Hamtramck Labor Day Festival needs all the help it can get.

The city was so broke this year it had to lay off the special events coordinator. That left two options for the city: cancel the festival or seek out volunteers to organize it.

Well, two residents have stepped forward, Kathleen Bittner and Rachel Srodek, to take the reins. Without financial support from the city, the pair has had to drum up donations.

So far, they said, the response has been over the top. Individuals are donating their services and goods, and even the Hamtramck School Board kicked in $2,000 to sponsor a 3K run that will help bring in more donations.

We here at The Review are also pitching in. The Review is holding a fundraiser on Aug. 7. You can't beat this deal: If you purchase a ticket in advance, it costs a measly $15. And for that you get drinks and food.

Read the entire article here.