Boston’s LGBTQ and Ally Community Come Together To Help Make the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Brunch Fundraiser at Club Café a Big Success

Donations exceed $10,000 and are still being accepted

(Photo on left: Wilfred Labiosa, Marco Torres, Photo on right: Drag performers with Wilfred Labiosa at Hurricane Relief Brunch at Club Café waiting to go on stage)

(Boston) December 21, 2017 – Boston Pride’s End-of-Year Giving campaign to raise funds for Hurricane Relief efforts for the LGBTQ community in Puerto Rico has surpassed expectations after holding a fundraising drive on Giving Tuesday and hosting a brunch on Sunday, December 17 at Club Café alongside Boston Latinx Pride and Club Cafe. The total amount raised is over $10,000 and donations are still being accepted online at https://www.bostonpride.org/pr/ Funds raised will benefit Waves Ahead, a Puerto Rico based non-profit organization that provides support to the LGBTQ community that has been affected by Hurricane Maria which has devastated the island.

 

The fundraising brunch at the Club Café was sold out and featured entertainment by drag performers Verna Turbulence, Pandora Seecret’s, Bokita, Kris Knievil, Jayden Jamison KA St. James, Tee Sparks, Kamden T. Rage and Karroll Barreneche who donated their time, talent and tips for the event.  Guitarist Gian Carlo Buscaglia, who also donated his time, serenaded the audience with traditional holiday songs from the Latino community.

 

(Gian Carlo Buscaglia)

 

 

“Boston Pride is tremendously grateful to those who attended the Hurricane Relief brunch and to the performers who donated their time,” said Marco Torres, Boston Pride Board Member and Chair of Latinx Pride. “The event was truly a rainbow representation from our community that cares so deeply about others and who rallied around this important cause to help our LGBTQ Community in Puerto Rico.”

 

At the brunch, Wilfred Labiosa, former Boston Pride Board Member and founder of Latinx Pride and Manager of Waves Ahead, told the crowd about the current situation in Puerto Rico for the LGBTQ community and others, many of whom are affected by depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome and other afflictions in the aftermath of the hurricane.

 

“There is still time to donate and make a huge difference in the lives of LGBTQ people in Puerto Rico who have been severely impacted by the Hurricane. $28 will provide one month of clean drinking water for one person, $1,000 will provide a generator and one month of meals for one person, and any level of donation is appreciated.”