The Village, a group that’s pushing the concept of the a Gay Village along Bank Street, is planning a second fundraiser, called Build our Bank 2, next week to raise money for rainbow flags, signs and mural projects to increase the visibility of the GLBT community.
Last year’s event was a big hit says organizer Glenn Crawford.
“Aside from the need to continue to raise funds for our various efforts, the Village enjoys holding events that add flavour and excitement to the social calendar of the GLBT community. Our vision from the beginning was to hold a Build our Bank semi-formal dinner annually." Flags and decals were installed in 2009.
“Those had a direct effect on us getting our foot in the door,” says Crawford. By installing street signs and murals Crawford hopes to make the village more desirable for new services, organizations and businesses.
“We have a need for funds from sponsors, private donors and attendees of events to enable us to move forward on these projects. It’s not enough to put some flags up and say, ‘we’re done,’ we have a lot more to accomplish yet."
Crawford says the group currently has between $10,000 and $12,000 in “their bank.”
“These funds, as well as new funds that we amass, will go towards more flags, as well as at least two mural projects and possibly towards street signs with the Village logo on them that could be placed above or below existing cross-street signs, much like you see in Chinatown and Little Italy.”
It is not clear how much murals could cost, since that depends on the size and the materials, as well as the rates of the artists. Crawford says he thinks anywhere from $3,000 to 5,000 each.
“We are planning a free film screening in the opening weekend of the Capital Pride festival, which will be, like Build our Bank 2, entertaining and surprising for the community.”
Build our Bank 2 will be held on April 15 at Café Paradiso. Tickets are $50.