LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Pure Pride Water Flows for a Cause |
by Mary Ann Stover |
The entrepreneurs behind Pure PrideJeff Fabiano and his life partner David Krumbholz, and life partners Ric Zapala and August Kidwellhope their bottled water will do more than quench your thirst. They want their company to pour money into the local gay and lesbian community. Pure Pridebottled spring water that hit the streets of Rehoboth earlier this Springwill donate a portion of its sales to local gay, lesbian and AIDS charities. "There are programs and services out there, but theres never enough money," he said. "The water idea came up because I wanted something easy for people to do. They can buy a bottle of water and help put something back into the community." Pure Prides first step was to find a high-quality water source and bottler. Following many taste tests and quality analysis, Leisure Time, located in the Catskill Mountains, was selected. "Leisure Time exceeds federal guidelines for filtering out cryptosporidium," Kidwell said. The microbe can cause fatal reactions in people with compromised immune systems, including people who are living with HIV/AIDS. Leisure Time is also working creatively with Pure Pride. It is providing phased-in ordering and staggered payment terms. "This is allowing us to do a lot of other things with Pure Pride. Mostly it is allowing us to give higher charitable contributions," Kidwell said. Pure Pride has selected the first four charities, but wont identify them yet. "They are all going in different directions: kids, awareness, AIDS patients, and the gay and lesbian community," Krombholz said. "There are a lot of needs, but not enough money. We want to help take care of the problems our community has. Pure Pride will support groups that are positive within the community, ones where theres no judgment about community members." "People are accepting the gay community as business partners," he said. "Society has given us a place at the table, were pulling up our chair and being part of the business community." Pure Prides commitment also extends to supporting other gay and lesbian businesses. "We are trying to start a company that benefits the community but doesnt require a full-time commitment from us," Kidwell said. "Well subcontract. When possible, well work with the community members and try to make sure our work goes to gays and lesbians. Its another way to make our community more viable." "Everybody we talk to is excited about it," Fabiano said. "Its awesome, and I cant believe its happening." Mary Ann Stover is a Philadelphia-based writer and a regular contributor to PGN. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 6, June 5, 1998. |