The Gay-Straight Alliance Club collected $1,005 in donations from the block party they hosted on Grandon Avenue Saturday, May 3, to raise money for the Trevor Project.
The Trevor Project conducts research to educate allies, doctors, legislators and the general public about LGBTQ+ mental health, and they offer a 24/7 crisis line, according to their website. The club originally planned to keep a portion of the funds to put toward next year’s events, but thanks to a generous block party attendee, they don’t have to worry about funding next year, sophomore GSA co-president Aero Boyer said.
“This lady came up to us and told us she could sponsor us for next year,” she explained. “It will be really, really helpful.”
Boyer and sophomore co-president Lorelei Rivera explained the community event featured live music performed by students from the high school, food and drink, and a silent auction.
Additionally, the club rented the Block Party Activity Kit, which includes a snow cone machine, games, coolers, drink dispensers, tents, tables and more, they added.
Since some GSA members were in a band, the group wanted to incorporate music into the event, Rivera said.
The first performance included vocals from Boyer, Rivera on the drums and sophomore Rami Kopans playing guitar, Rivera said. Kopans explained this was the group’s first time performing on this scale. “We’ve never had a gig before, so I’m just really excited to have our first one,” he added.
To get a permit to host the block party, the club needed signatures from at least 75% of the residents on the block, Rivera said.
“That took us two days,” he said. “Almost everyone we asked said yes.”
They also wanted to provide food and drinks, Boyer added. “It can be hard getting enough supplies food-wise because we don’t have a definite number of how many people are coming,” she explained.
“I haven’t sat down to look at how much we’ve bought, and honestly I don’t want to think about it. There were a lot of small things, and there were a lot of big purchases.”
Rivera thinks they spent at least $400 or $500, he added.
Boyer said they learned a lot from hosting this event and are planning to have another one next year, in addition to their annual bake sale and a clothing drive.
Rivera said he hopes this event encourages new members to join GSA. He added that the club is open to everybody, regardless of their identity.
