Local community gathers to celebrate and raise funds for Cook County Pride
Mar 07, 2023 08:54AM ● By Content Editor
Written by Rae Wojcik Poynter - Boreal Community Media - March 6, 2023
The local community showed overwhelming support at the Cook County Pride Community Celebration and Fundraiser on March 4. People young and old packed the Cook County Community Center’s log cabin building for a day-long event that included games, art, a movie, and Drag Queen Story Hour. It’s estimated that over 125 people attended the event, which raised over $3,000 for Cook County Pride.
Cook County Pride is a local group that organizes the June Pride events in Grand Marais, MN, as well as other small events and gatherings for the local LGBTQ2SIA+ community. Proceeds from the March 4 event will be used to host the 2023 Pride celebration on June 10 in downtown Grand Marais.
The Community Celebration and Fundraiser included a smoothie lunch sponsored by Shook Smoothies, a dinner sponsored by Angry Trout Cafe, an art station sponsored by Joy & Company, a presentation on the history of Pride by OutFront MN, Queer Movie Night featuring ‘The Birdcage’, sponsored by First Congregational United Church, and snacks and activities sponsored by the Cook County YMCA.
One of the event's highlights was Drag Queen Story Hour, presented in partnership with the Grand Marais Public Library. Kids and adults listened while That Queer Isa read children’s books that focused on positivity, empathy, and acceptance themes. Attendees participated in singing songs, and the library gave away books to event attendees. Although a handful of people showed up in opposition to the event, that didn’t stop the celebration from continuing inside the log cabin building.
Terri Poe, a Cook County parent, attended the event with her children. “We really enjoyed the story hour with Isa,” Poe said. “Isa was so fun, engaging, and warm. She connected well with the audience. My kids thought she was great, enjoyed the stories she read, and had a very positive experience.”
Pride 2023 t-shirts are still for sale, and donations can be made at any time.
There are a few ways to donate:
Send a Venmo donation to Cook County Pride committee member Lenna Stever @lenna-stever (last four phone number digits are 5254)
Send a check or cash to Lenna Stever (email [email protected] for details)
Make a tax-deductible donation through the First Congregational Church (checks must be made out to the church, with a note that the donation is for Cook County Pride)
To learn more or get involved, contact Lenna at [email protected].
The Community Celebration and Fundraiser took place at the Cook County Community Center Log Cabin building in Grand Marais
Shook Smoothies sponsored a smoothie lunch, while Angry Trout sponsored a dinner (not pictured)
Volunteers help distribute free snacks, sponsored by the Cook County YMCA
Ben Nichols welcomes the crowd
A 'tunnel of love' made by community members welcomed That Queer Isa into and out of the log cabin building before and after the reading
That Queer Isa made the crowd laugh many times and interacted with the kids throughout the story hour
Book topics included empathy, positivity, acceptance, and kindness
Community members created another 'tunnel of love' as That Queer Isa exited the log cabin
The Cook County YMCA provided free activities and games
Joy & Co sponsored a craft table, where community members could make and take a bag or bandana
Over $3,000 dollars was raised during the one-day celebration and fundraiser. The funds will be used during the 2023 June Pride event.
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