Oak Park Area Leadership Gala or OPAL Gala
Talented Trio The Weird Sisters to Entertain at 2008 Gala
Each year, in order to raise funds to fulfill its stated mission of improving the quality of life of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) members, OPALGA holds its black-tie-optional Gala. This event is always greatly anticipated by our members and their guests.
As in past years, the Twelfth Annual OPAL Gala ("Twelfth Night") will be a big party. A great party. But it is more than that. The Gala is the organization's most important fundraising event of the year. So, while you are in for a good time, your support and participation are vital to OPALGA's ongoing mission and programs.
By attending the Gala, you are supporting cultural and social events for OPALGA members, services for youth and young adults—including a drop-in center, HIV education and prevention programs, and informational resources—and the organization's work with other community groups to promote diversity.
All of this is accomplished with a small paid staff and a dedicated network of volunteers. OPALGA needs your support to continue these programs.
The 2008 Gala features The Weird Sisters as the entertainment for the evening. The event includes a cocktail hour, a sit-down dinner, and dancing with a live DJ. During the evening, guests can place bids on numerous silent-auction prize packages. A raffle and a live auction are also part of the evening, so guests have numerous opportunities to acquire prizes throughout the night. In addition, each year OPALGA presents its Oak Park Area Leadership (OPAL) Award(s) at the Gala to recognize outstanding efforts on behalf of LGBT people in the Oak Park area.
To learn more about the upcoming OPAL Gala: Event Information
Oak Park Area Leadership Award or OPAL Award
In 1997, OPALGA established the Oak Park Area Leadership, or OPAL, Award to recognize outstanding efforts on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the Oak Park area. Recipients may have worked independently of OPALGA to promote diversity and/or the elimination of any form of sexual-minority discrimination. OPAL Award recipients exemplify the spirit of communitywide efforts in the promotion of diversity while working toward the goal of eliminating all forms of discrimination.
Past recipients of the OPAL Award
1997Honorable Joanne Trapani
Rev. Dr. F. Jay Deacon
Pat & David Spagat
Jill Allread & Pamela Freese
Rev. Bobbi Hargleroad
James Kelly
Pride Agenda Bookstore: Alan Amato & Jim Wolfe
Angelika Kuehn
BUNGALO - Berwyn United Neighborhood Gay & Lesbian Organization
Carol Goodwin & Carol Zientek
Village of Oak Park Police Department
Mel Wilson
District 97 Parent-Teacher Organization
Ethel Cotovsky
Rebekah Levin
Tan Travel: Linda Knutson
Father Richard Prendergast
Oak Park Community Chest
Honorable Ray Johnson
Dr. Barry Greenwald
Glynne Gervais
Curt Hicks
Sandra Sokol
Rev. Bradley Mickelson
Dr. Tonda Hughes
Richard Carollo & the Oak Park Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
PFLAG Oak Park
Joseph (Joe) Langley
Rev. Elizabeth (Betsy) Ritzman
