LYNN — Growing weary of its annual trivia fundraisers, Lynn Economic Opportunity (LEO) has decided to spice things up.
The organization is hosting a Mexican-style street fair equipped with festive menu options, carnival games, and raffles. The proceeds for the Sept. 27 event will go toward various community programs and classes that adhere to LEO’s unique approach to learning.
“It should be really alive,” said Julie Hebeisen, communications specialist for LEO. “Hopefully it will turn into a nice tradition where people will want to come to year after year.”
LEO’s mission is to alleviate the pain and stigma of poverty with pathways to emotional and financial stability for the people of Lynn and surrounding towns, especially for children and the elderly. Hebeisen said she hopes this event will be something more enjoyable and inclusive for the whole community.
Fiesta de LEO will be at the Lynn Museum with an array of entertainment options, including henna tattoos, a photo booth, and live music. The organization began preparations for the street fair in May. They worked with four main sponsors, C.L. Hauthaway & Sons Corp., Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, Rogers & Gray Insurance, and Salem Five Charitable Foundation, which helped them come up with more than $3,000.
“This specific fundraiser will go towards our programming, our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes, parenting classes, health and nutrition classes for children, and discipline and self-care classes,” said Hebeisen. “They’re all part of our two-generation approach, which teaches children and parents together to get them to engage with each other.”
She said the goal for the event is not only to fundraise, but to “friend-raise” and have members of the Lynn community enjoy their time while understanding their purpose. With the revenue coming in from fundraisers, Hebeisen said the organization is able to accommodate more people in classes and programs as well as create more options.
LEO has four childcare centers and life skill classes for families, and also offers fuel assistance (home heating help) to more than 3,000 households and 7,000 individuals throughout Lynn and surrounding areas. Hebeisen said they want to help parents relieve the burden of piled bills so they have time to care for their children.
“It allows them to be better parents, have a safer home, and provide a better environment for their kids,” she said. “They can focus on other things they need to do, like feeding their children. People that are sort of in a chronic cycle of chasing their financial situation, they can come to us and we can help them to prioritize a little better.”
The street fair begins at 5:30 p.m. and will run for a few hours. Tickets for the event are $50 and can be purchased online. Aside from the various forms of entertainment and the Mexican-inspired food and cocktail options, there will be a cash bar. Hebeisen said she hopes this new fundraiser will open more minds and more hearts to LEO.
“We want people to learn about our mission and join our work through volunteering, donating, or giving to us in-kind,” said Hebeisen. “We serve thousands of people, but we can and want to help so many more.”
