OPALGA Receives Donation from Xerox Capital’s Gay and Lesbian Employee Group
In the spring, the lesbian and gay employee affinity group for the Chicago-area office of Xerox Capital contacted OPALGA about the possibility of hosting a fundraiser for OPALGA during Pride Month. The affinity group is called XCS GLBT Alliance. Co-Chair Brad Bartels met with the group to further their understanding of our organization’s mission and programs and to discuss how OPALGA would be a good fit for XCS GLBT Alliance’s efforts.
In late May, XCS GLBT Alliance contacted OPALGA to let us know that they were holding an ice cream social and raffle on Friday, June 16, at their office and that proceeds from the ice cream sales and raffle would be donated to OPALGA. Bartels said, “This is a tremendous gesture by Xerox Capital’s XCS GLBT Alliance. We cannot thank them enough for their support. I attended the event, which happened to be my birthday, and met so many great people. It was a truly great birthday!”
At the July Potluck, hosted by Oak Park Village Trustee and former OPALGA Co-Chair Ray Johnson, two members from XCS GLBT Alliance, Christopher Mahoney and Michael Gilliland, presented OPALGA with a check for $790.00. In his thank-you letter to the group, Bartels stated in part, “As a small community-based organization, I can tell you that your donation will be put to good use within our organization. It is amazing to me how far a gift like yours can go to enrich our programming efforts in support of the LGBT community, not only within Oak Park but throughout the Chicagoland area.”
