Volunteers and local organizations are teaming up with Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe for “Pride in Wheeling Day” at the Wheeling Heritage Port Playground and Trail on June 9 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event acts as a way for community members to engage in beautification projects while raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and promoting inclusivity in the city.

Noah Roxby, co-chair of the Orrick Pride and Wheeling Committee, says the firm created the event as a way to stand up for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“In the community we had seen some local book bannings, and we also heard some people making comments that were less than acceptable to some of the employees at work,” he said. “To raise awareness throughout the community, and not just through the community but also at the firm, we decided to do this event.”

Local organizations participating in the event include the City of Wheeling, The Friendlier City Project, Wesbanco, Crittenton Services, Wheeling Arts & Cultural Commission and NAMI Greater Wheeling.

Roxby says the event currently has more than 60 individual volunteers and encourages those interested to get involved if they haven’t already.

“We want to make the city better, not just necessarily for the LGBTQ+ community, but for everyone, and the only way we can do that is to support each other,” he said.

“Even if you’re not part of that community, by all means you’re more than welcome to join us as well, we’d love to have you,” he continued. “We just want to continue the discussion in the community and make sure that people aren’t picking others out for whatever their differences are.”

Volunteers will aid in beautification projects including painting and retouching Friendly City murals, painting Heritage Port railings and cleaning up the area.

Mindi Yarbrough is a lifelong artist from Wheeling who has helped plan and paint murals for the event for the last three years.

She says she looks forward to her involvement and that her role goes beyond just painting.

“I am so happy to have been asked to participate for so many years,” she said. “Murals are so important to communities as centerpieces to bring people together and celebrate ideas, heritage, history, identity, imagination and the sense of belonging in a place which is really our theme for this year.”

This year, the mural will depict a rainbow sunrise coming over a mountain with the phrase “you belong” included in the scene.

Each year the event has been held, Mayor Glenn Elliot has proclaimed the date as “Pride in Wheeling Day” citywide. The City of Wheeling is backing the efforts of Orrick and the participating organizations once again this year.

Roxby says he enjoys watching the event grow and gain more attention every year.

“I think it’s really important just because we don’t have a lot of these types of events in the area and it’s a small community, especially around here,” he said. “It makes me feel good to see that community grow around this area as well just because, you know, I want to see people be comfortable in who they are.”

Event organizers are still accepting volunteer participants. Interested individuals who would like more information can contact Noah Roxby and Amy Rioirdan at nroxby@orrick.com and ariordan@orrick.com.