Help Western MA Parasol Patrol Shield Against Hate

Hi Friends!

As many of you know Parasol Patrol is a National non-profit which began in 2019 in Colorado. I organize a Western MA chapter of Parasol Patrol and we’ve been quite busy this spring. Over the past several weeks you may have seen pictures of us at Queer Storytime for Palestine, Hampshire Pride, Queer Prom, Berkshire Pride, Drag Story Time at the Holyoke Library, Holyoke PrideFest, Small Town Pride in North Brookfield. We’re the people with the rainbow umbrellas, supporting LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC events and peacefully shielding people from hate.

This is an entirely grassroots, volunteer effort, but there are expenses involved.

The founders of Parasol Patrol have gone out of their way to help get this Massachusetts chapter off the ground. They’ve taught me their model and sent us tables, chairs, a tent, pins, umbrellas, first aid supplies, even candy and prizes to hand out to kids. I’d like to reimburse them for these expenses so I can be in the position to use the donations we receive at events for things like printing flyers, restocking lollipops and buying supplies for the volunteers.

I’m also planning a celebration for the volunteers next week, to mark the end of Pride Month which is our busiest month of the year. They’ve done an incredible job and I’d love to be able to buy food for the event so I don’t have to ask them to bring anything. They’ve given enough.

There are so many worthy places to donate money these days so no hard feelings if you aren’t able to help out, but if you can donate to this GoFundMe it will be put to good use and greatly appreciated.

And finally, if you are in the Western MA area and you hear of an LGBTQIA+ or BIPOC event that needs our support, reach out. We’ll do our best to be there.