Support Us

YOU SEE OUR WORK:

Bolingbrook Pride was established in April of 2018. In our founding year, we hosted the first Annual Pride Picnic and Puppies merely 6 weeks after the organic formation of the group. There were 18 local business donors, over 250 attendees, and 35 volunteers that came together in love and pursuit of a more accepting community.

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Our second event, in 2019, had over 1,000 attendees, 45 vendors, 2 bands, 2 food trucks, trans support services, free hug tent, faith village, bounce house, free face painting, community yoga, corporate sponsors, support from the Mayors of both Bolingbrook and Romeoville, 60 volunteers, and family-friendly activities for all ages. At each event, we have been able to support our local LGBTQ families and show the Mayor, trustees, county board members, and Representative Bill Foster that this sort of acceptance is essential to and welcome in our community.

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Covid prevented us from having a picnic in 2020 and 2021 but we did not sit idly by.

• We provided material support for the BLM march in Bolingbrook in 2020.

• in June of 2020, we presented Profiles in Pride through our facebook page - a series of biographical posts on black leaders in the LGBTQ+ community throughout history.

• We helped bridge differences and educate local politicians, leading to the formation of the Will County Pride Coalition - in which we are still a contributing member organization. In this role, we helped develop, design, and present a series of three (3) virtual, educational, roundtable events (the LGBTQ&A series).

• We were able to reach nearly 3,000 people through that series and created a Gender Spectrum Resource Guide to distribute throughout the area schools, support groups, and individuals looking to educate themselves and find help locally.

• We sponsored an educational, financial planning event for local LGBTQ+ families and business owners.

• We began an adult peer-to-peer support group called Journey to Pride.

• We petitioned our local government to declare June pride month in Bolingbrook and Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta made that proclamation on May 25th.

• We also met with the village government and secured the ability to create a public display for the month of June. On June 5th, we had over 150 volunteers come together to paint rainbow designs and messages of pride, love, and acceptance on the path around the pond behind the village hall at 375 W. Briarcliff Rd. Check it out here!

• We support the Mayor and trustees of Romeoville on their Pride Month Declaration and inclusive efforts.

• Now we have established an ongoing scholarship fund and are currently looking to present four (4) $500 scholarships to graduates in 2024. Click here to learn more!

We've raised the pride flag over village hall twice (in 2022 and 2023), hosted  two Friendsgiving meals - feeding over 60 people in a loving family atmosphere (and are having a third), and educated community organizations through the lunch and learn, panel discussion format. Our third picnic, in 2023, had over 2,000 attendees, 55 vendors, 3 food trucks, trans support services, puppy cuddles, free bounce house, balloon artist, DJ, face painting, corporate sponsors, support from the Mayors of both Bolingbrook and Romeoville, 60 volunteers, and family-friendly activities for all ages. We collected more than 500 donations for 2 local food pantries and donated duffel bags to Lutheran Child and Family Services for foster kids. At each event, we have been able to support our local LGBTQ families and show the Mayor, trustees, county board members, and Representative Bill Foster that this sort of acceptance is essential to and welcome in our community. We also hold a youth drop-in, youth social club, and adult social gathering each month.

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None of this would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.

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YOU SHARE OUR VALUES:

• Social Equality: To mobilize the community for inter-sectional work/support to promote social equality.

• Voice and Action: To give a voice to the LGBTQ community in Bolingbrook and encourage action in our leaders.

• Empowerment: To empower leaders, youth, and community members to make positive changes in our area.

• Positive Change: To build a stronger LGBTQ and ally community within Bolingbrook and surrounding areas.

• Diversity: To Celebrate and welcome diversity.

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YOU WANT US TO HAVE A GREATER COMMUNITY PRESENCE:

Your personal donation of money, goods, or your time helps us put on events and have a larger impact - fostering understanding and acceptance within the greater community. A corporate sponsorship does all of the above AND will help us create materials to hand out to teens and families, advertise events. Providing support to our organization positions you as a leader in suburban LGBTQ acceptance.

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YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN AN EVENT.

• Contact us today