Baskets of Love – A Tradition Each Year
From the Lens of One of the Founders (Casey, Written December 2025): In 2014, when my partner Nate and I were forming the league, we wanted to find a way to give back and leave the season with a BANG. Nate landed on the idea of a charity fundraiser where we could give back to a local LGBTQ charity. Mind you, this was 2014 – pre Obergefell vs. Hodges. Gay marriage was still illegal in our country. That first year, we solicited donations and I, along with a few friends of the league, assembled about 5 baskets in the kitchen of one of their townhomes the night before.
As part of our final night of bowling, we placed the baskets out on a few tables and asked for people to buy raffle tickets to place in front of the basket they would like to win. All proceeds would go to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Much to our surprise and amazing delight, our small league of 53 bowlers that first season raised $1200! And thus the BASKETS of LOVE Fundraiser was born.
As of our 2025 Fundraiser, our league has collectively raised over $40,000 for local and national LGBTQ charities ranging from the AIDS Foundation, Open Door Clinic, Youth Outlook, P-Flag Bolingbrook, the Trevor Project, Youth 360, SAGE, Paws Up for Rescue, the It Gets Better Project, Rainbow Railroad, Trans Lifeline, and Forge.
Every year, the collective generosity of this group consistently amazes me. The very fact that this group of people can find time to come together on a cold December night and warmly give of themselves both in basket form and in money form to help those in our community who need assistance simply is what the holidays is all about. No matter how you are able to give this year – whether it’s through the contribution of the basket or through buying tickets to win one of our amazing prizes – your generosity in helping those who need it most is simply humbling.
2025: Trans Rights are Under Attack
Transgender rights are currently under intense, coordinated attack, primarily through state and federal legislation. Hundreds of anti-trans bills are introduced annually, with a focus on banning gender-affirming care for trans youth, often with felony penalties for providers. Additional legislation targets trans people in public life by: banning trans youth from participating in school sports, restricting bathroom access to the sex assigned at birth, forcibly outing students to parents, and redefining “sex” in state law to exclude transgender people from non-discrimination protections.
This year, the money raised went to two trans rights organizations whom our league voted to give to. Trans Lifeline and FORGE. Here’s what they do and why they are worthy of our support, now, more than ever:
- Trans Lifeline is a trans-led, grassroots non-profit organization focused on direct emotional and financial support for transgender people in crisis. Its key service is a peer-support crisis hotline staffed entirely by transgender operators, available in English and Spanish, emphasizing confidentiality and a firm policy against involving law enforcement without explicit consent. Trans Lifeline also runs microgrant programs to help trans individuals with legal name changes, gender marker updates, and other needs.
- FORGE (Feminist Organization for Rights & Gender Equity) builds strength and resilience in transgender communities, primarily through training, technical assistance, resources, and support. FORGE is dedicated to reducing the impact of trauma on transgender and non-binary survivors of violence and abuse. They focus on empowering service providers, advocating for systemic reform, and connecting survivors to healing resources, making them a crucial resource for advocacy and anti-violence work within the trans community.
A History of Giving Back Each Year:
Year after year, we’ve consistently raised an astounding amount of money supporting charities both locally and nationally. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generosity!
| 2025: Trans Lifeline and FORGE | $5243 |
| 2024: Rainbow Railroad & The Trevor Project | $3200 |
| 2023: The Trevor Project & It Gets Better Project | $4415 |
| 2022: SAGE & Paws Up for Rescue | $5629 |
| 2021: The Trevor Project, Youth Outlook, & Youth 360 | $4628 |
| 2019: P-Flag Bolingbrook | $3900 |
| 2018: Youth Outlook | $3500 |
| 2017: Open Door Clinic | $2800 |
| 2016: Open Door Clinic | $2000 |
| 2015: Open Door Clinic | $3578 |
| 2014: AIDS Foundation of Chicago | $1200 |
Since 2014, we have raised close to $40,093 for local and national LGBTQ+ causes. Thank you!
Photos of This Year’s Event
Past Presentations of Donations
2023: Presenting $2000 to Paws Up for Rescue to pay for medical expenses for dogs and cats.
President: Ed Dunne
Out! Bowling League 