What if you woke up one day and realized you wanted to do something really special for your birthday?

Like, not just special for you. This is what happened to Janine, a 418 Project ally. She woke up and realized she wanted to do MUCH MORE with her birthday this year. Which is how the Emerald Ball was born. So now, thanks to Janine’s love of The 418 Project mission, we all get to enjoy the Emerald Ball, an extraordinary moment to experience the Joy of Empowerment.

WHAT IS THE EMERALD BALL?

The Emerald Ball is a “Wicked” chance to celebrate togetherness, to come out as allies, to meet and mingle with new friends, and to party down while raising money for our Trans and Queer community members who need our help right now. Dress as your favorite Wicked or Wizard of Oz personality, create your own (or just wear green). Event Line-Up:

• 7 PM Doors Open - Live Music Meet & Mingle
• 8 PM The Kingdom of Oz Opens, Beats with DJ Electric Tomcat
• 9 PM Costume Contest
• 10 PM Defying Gravity Karaoke Singalong with Keeva Ivester
  This celebration is a night to honor the powerful role you play in helping to forge a world where love, respect, and acceptance are the true forces that bind us together.
  

WHY RIGHT NOW? WHY the Emerald Ball?

With the generous support of Dual Demons, The 418 Project, and The Emergency Fund, we are raising monies to support The 418 Project and Dual Demons Trans/Queer Emergency Fund to support LGBTQIA+ individuals facing hardship. Admission is by donation! Your generosity goes directly to provide emergency aid, housing assistance, mental health support, and community resources for those in need in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Table at the Emerald Ball: are you an ally? Does your organization offer educational resources or support LGBTQIA+ people? We have a limited number of tables where you can share information at the event. But don’t wait, they’re filling up fast. Whether you donate, become a sponsor, or just simply show up in your most wickedly wonderful attire, your presence will make this night truly unforgettable.

Event Recap:

Thanks to you, our community of allies, we surpassed our goal, raising $13,645.81 for the Trans Mutual Aid Fund. This will enable over $1,000 a month to immediately start flowing directly to local trans people who are losing health care, employment, travel documents, because of who they are.  THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP.

Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley proclaimed April 25 as “The 418 Project Trans Celebration Day”