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Greetings from the Executive Director

Hello Friends! 

Happy Spring! This is a season of hope for new beginnings and better futures. I am so grateful to get to work with you all to create change and am excited for all we will do together this season. 

We are headed into an exciting May, starting with baseball in Bend for a good cause, then we are off to The Gorge to fill the nights with music and be in community with each other. May is also when many US states will be holding their primary elections. This is an opportunity to put our hopes into action, and we encourage all of you to make sure you are registered and learn more about your local ballots in this month’s Beyond the Dollar section. 

In addition to looking ahead, we also have a lot to celebrate from April here at LOF. Our new Gathering for Change virtual event series is off to an amazing start thanks to the wonderful humans of Folx Health. I want to share my sincere thanks to Adrian, Haley, and Michael who were wise guides and joyful storytellers, as they guided us through how to be better allies for our Trans siblings. Stay tuned for our next event, and please, always feel free to submit your ideas or what type of gathering you would love to see us host (through the form at the bottom of every LOF newsletter). 

We are also excited to share that together y’all raised $350,000 to support our partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation. These funds will have an incredible impact, and we could not be more grateful for your generosity. I am so thankful that you turn our hopes and dreams into action and continue to show up to Make Music Mean More. You truly fuel our passion and propel us forward. 

In closing, let us know what you are springing into this month!  Will we see you at the Gorge? If you’re there, please come by and say hello! 

Sharing in your hope and excitement, 

Gloria 

Batter Uppppp!

Join us in Bend next month for Bramily Baseball and step up to the plate for a cause

You’re invited to join Brandi and special guest, Kristin Key for a Bramily Baseball tournament in Bend, Oregon!

OR

LOF has partnered with the Bend Park Recreation Foundation. When you donate, you will be providing scholarships that expand access for all young people in Bend to participate in recreational sports, outdoor exploration and more!

New Virtual Event Series!

Folx Staff Therapist, Michael (she/her), shares one way that allies can uplift and celebrate the Trans community.

This month, we were joined by members and staff of Folx Health to discuss Trans joy, defending access to gender affirming care, and more! Thank you to all who attended, asked questions, and shared stories. This panel was a part of LOF’s newest virtual event series: Gathering for Change. Each quarter we will be offering a virtual event for us to get together and learn, create, and act as a community! Keep your eyes peeled on our social media to learn about future events and how you can register to join the conversation.

$350,000 raised for HIV/AIDS

Celebrating our collaboration with the Elton John AIDS Foundation

Thank YOU for helping us believe in angels!

Together, we raised $350,000 in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation. These funds will go on to help clinics around the world keep their doors open, restore access to life-saving medication, and keep vital prevention services running.  

Beyond the Dollar

There are many ways to join a movement for change, and donating money is not the only way to make an impact! Here are some actions you can take this month that are just as important as donating.

Vote in the Primary Elections!

May and June are when many US states hold their primary elections. This can be an extremely valuable opportunity to make your voice heard in your communities and influence change. Local impact is just as vital for changing the future.

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