Diversity Rally steering committee members met to finalize plans for the Saturday, April 26, rally at Fountain Plaza, Central Park, Warsaw. From the left are Linda Francis, Brenda Rigdon, Karen Kusserow and Aimee Platz. Sarah Richardson is not pictured.

The steering committee for the first Diversity Rally met recently to finalize their plans for the upcoming event.

When asked why they were involved in organizing this event, the steering committee members had a lot to say. Linda Francis stated, ”I am excited to be part of a group who supports diversity in our community! If we can enlighten one person, the rally will be a success.”

Aimee McDairmant said, ”I decided to get involved because I strongly believe in diversity and the beauty of it. What makes a community great is people’s differences and their uniqueness as it is added to the whole.”

“Fear is paralyzing, and often leads to hatred and keeps us from developing relationships with others,” commented Karen Kusserow. “If this rally and its speakers can help us to see our fears are unfounded, then we can move toward understanding and embracing our differences.”

One last member of the steering committee chimed in with the following, “Jesus calls us to love each other … no exceptions,” said Sarah Richardson.

The Diversity Rally will kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, Fountain Plaza in Central Park, downtown Warsaw, with the speakers in the following order: 11 a.m. Brenda Rigdon, welcome attendees and speak from a parent’s perspective; 11:08 a.m. Bill Warren and Penny Brown, speaking from family member perspective; 11:16 a.m. Aimee Platz will read a poem and perform a song; 11:20 a.m. Marlen Mulero Betances will speak from a corporate perspective; 11:28 a.m. Erin Korreck will speak from a middle school guidance counselor perspective; 11:36 a.m. Carolina Daffre will speak from a high school student perspective; 11:44 a.m. Mike Lewis will speak from a religious perspective; 11:52 a.m. Hans Kusserow will perform a song; and 11:58 a.m. Max Vosler will lead the group in a prayer.

At noon, the group will pass out signs, and commence the march around the downtown area.

A rain date has been set for the rally also. If it rains the event will be Saturday, May 3, and the location will be moved to the West Shelter at Central Park. Everything will be at the same time.