Winter Gayla & Prism Awards
The Winter Gayla is an annual event held each December where we bring together community for an evening of winter treats, celebration, and joy. Each year, through the Prism Awards, we also highlight the individuals and organizations in our community who are working to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive Darke County. Stay tuned for details about the 2026 Winter Gayla!
2025 Winter Gayla & Prism Awards
The LGBTQ+ Community Center of Darke County is pleased to host our 2nd Annual Winter Gayla, “Sweet & Sparkly,” on Saturday, December 13th from 6:30-9:30pm at the Birchwood Center in Greenville, OH. It’s an evening of community and celebration filled with special treats from Beanz Buttercream Bakery & Eatery (lasagna, cinnamon rolls, cheese and fruits!), plus dancing, auction, raffle and more! Dress for the event is festive, costume, or semi-formal, or simply come as your sweet and sparkly self! Tickets are $35.00 per person (Scholarships available by emailing us here.)
Tickets & Sponsor Registration
UPDATE: We love a good party, but we love our community safe even more! Due the unpredictability of the weather tonight, the Winter Gayla will be cancelled for tonight, Saturday, December 13th. Instead, we’ll be presenting the Prism Awards on Facebook live tomorrow, Sunday, December 14th at 12:00 (noon). If you’ve already gotten your tickets, we still have amazing food from Beanz to share! Please check your email for details, or email us here for additional questions and details. Wishing you and yours a safe and happy Saturday!
Thank you to the amazing community members, artisans and organizations who donated to our auction and raffle! Special thanks also to the amazing team and volunteers who have put together this outstanding event!
- Advocate of the Year Award
Sam Arnold - Community Builder of the Year Award
Nic Hollopeter - Public Official, Team or Agency of the Year Award
Darke County Parks - Health, Wellness & Community Services Provider of the Year Award
Bea Wilson and Debra Farrell - Educator/School Administrator of the Year Award
Dr. George Matar - Ally of the Year Award
Greenville Public Library - Center Star of the Year Award
River Souza - Jazz Hands Award
Marci Reismiller - Person Who Gives A Crap Award
Heather Meade and Keba Hitzeman - Shout Out Awards:
- Tristin Coghill, The Yarn Remedy
- Scott Snyder
- Paula & Marie
- Friends of Bob & Dorothy
- Ohio Equal Rights
- I Am Well Foundation
- Faith Choice Ohio
- Family Health Services
- 2025 Darke County Pride Committee
- The Center’s Team
- The Center’s Board
Thank you to our sponsors!
2024 Winter Gayla & Prism Awards
The LGBTQ+ Community Center of Darke County is pleased to host our 1st Annual Winter Gayla, “Frosted & Fabulous,” with presenting sponsor, Andrea and Matt Jordan of the Jordan Agency, on Saturday, December 14th from 6:00-9:00pm at Shawnee Prairie in Greenville, OH. It’s an evening of community and celebration filled with holiday desserts, hot chocolate bar, dancing, silent auction, raffle and more! Dress for the event is festive or semi-formal, or simply come as your fabulous self! Join us as we highlight and celebrate changemakers in our community who are working each day to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive Darke County for all people, including LGBTQ+ children, youth, adults families and our friends and allies. This year’s Prism Awards will feature Special Recognitions, along with the:
- Advocate of the Year Award
- Community Builder of the Year Award
- Public Official, Team or Agency of the Year Award
- Health, Wellness & Community Services Provider of the Year Award
- Educator/School Administrator of the Year Award
- Ally of the Year Award
- Center Star of the Year Award
Tickets & Sponsor Registration
Thank you to the amazing community members, artisans and organizations who donated to our auction and raffle! Special thanks also to the amazing team and volunteers who have put together this outstanding event!
- Advocate of the Year Award
Arienne Childrey - Community Builder of the Year Award
Scott Snyder, Darke County LGBTQ+ Proud - Public Official, Team or Agency of the Year Award
Jordan Francis - Health, Wellness & Community Services Provider of the Year Award
Dr. George Matar - Educator/School Administrator of the Year Award
Sam Arnold - Ally of the Year Award
I Am Well Darke County - Center Star of the Year Award
River Souza - Jazz Hands Award
Nic Hollopeter - Person Who Gives A Crap Award
Ryan Acker - Special Recognition Awards
- Michael Knote, Have a Gay Day
- Sheriff Mark Whittaker
- Abigial Griesdorn
- Emily Hoisington
- Greenville Public Library
- Alanna Yeoman
- Beka Lindeman
- Carey Driscoll
- Lucas Jackson
- Bea Wilson
- Debra Farrell
- Kevin Snow
- Marcy Hanks
- Tristin Coghill
Thank you to our sponsors
The 1st Annual Winter Gayla is presented by Andrea and Matt Jordan of Jordan Agency. Thanks to our Table/Event Sponsors: Have a Gay Day and Matthew Guyette, Member of the Darke County Board of Election and Chair of the Darke County Democratic Party. The LGBTQ+ Community Center of Darke County is a 501c3, nonprofit organization and does not endorse candidates or political parties
