'Without You, It Would Not Happen,' Berkley Days Chairwoman Says

Dear Berkley and Friends,

Thank you for making Berkley Days 2013 a tremendous success.

I don't know if everyone knows that Berkley Days happens because of many different volunteers and community service groups. There are always some glitches and it doesn't always run perfectly, but the people who are dedicated to the event work tirelessly for months in advance and nonstop the weekend of the event. This year was no exception.

Thank you to the Dad's Club for picking up trash on the Midway, the Mom's Club for putting up the Craft Show signs and Lisa Zimmerman and Hoops for taking them down. Thank you to the Friends of Berkley Parks and Rec and the American Legion for the Beer tent and to the VFW for the Pancakes. Thank you Berkley Junior Women's Club for having the Pooch Pageant and the Steelers for Punt Pass and Kick. Thank you to the Horseshoe Club for having your international tournament and for putting up all of the posters around town and to the Berkley Huntington Woods Youth Assistance for putting on the Taste of Berkley. The Friends of the Berkley Library have their book sale and this year we added music programs from Angell Elementary, Anderson Middle School and Berkley High School. The Knights of Columbus provided security on Friday and Saturday nights. The Berkley Historical Committee has given sage advice on the wristband questionaire and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society works so hard to make the race run (haha) smoothly.

Many people on the committee do not represent any group in particular, but participate because they are dedicated to Berkley. Barb Rohn runs the Craft Show and Helen VanHousen (this year's Humanitarian of the Year) has graciously stayed on as an adviser.     

The police support the event, the staff at the Ice Arena work all weekend to keep the facilities clean and safe and the staff at Parks and Rec answer Berkley Days questions for weeks in advance.   

And of course, City Council and the City Manager allow us to use the municipal facilities.      

If I have left anyone out of this list, please do not take offense. I appreciate everything and everyone who has contributed to Berkley Days and without you it would not happen. Particularly to the person responsible for the weather this year, you have my undying gratitude!   

As you can see, it takes many people to make this event happen. But it is all of you who make it worth our while to do. I don't have a final count, but I can tell you that this was a record-setting year for profits and this money goes right back into our community.          

On behalf of all of the participating organizations, I thank you all.

Denise Brainard                                                                
Chairperson, Berkley Days Association