Thank You for Supporting Seattle AIDS Walk: October E-Newsletter

A Letter from David Richart, Lifelong AIDS Alliance’s Executive Director

Greetings Friends and Supporters of Lifelong AIDS Alliance,

On Saturday, October 4, 2008, Lifelong AIDS Alliance proudly hosted the 22^nd Annual Seattle AIDS Walk at Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill.  This event is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we are on target to reach our fundraising goal of $650,000.  Raising enough money to meet our goal was especially important since 84-cents of every dollar goes directly to clients in need of our services and programs. 

The Walk had a tremendous turnout, especially considering the weather and current state of the economy.  2,400 walkers were present along with 255 volunteers, and over 80 members of our staff who worked the event.  The top fundraising teams for the 22^nd Annual Seattle AIDS Walk were ASPEN (AIDS Student Peer Educators at Newport), Team Microsoft, and the Lifelong Orange Fairies, raising over $100,000 combined.

The morning was kicked off with Clinton Fearon and the Boogie Brown Band playing up-beat reggae music, and officially began as Margaret Larson welcomed the crowd and emceed the event.  Guest speakers for the day included Frank Percival, the 2008 Lifelong AIDS Alliance Board President, Pat Miglore, a past Board Member and Client, Patrick Green, a past and current Board Member and Client, as well as myself.  We were also graced with ASPEN student, Bailey Seeker’s amazing voice singing, Amazing Grace. 

After the Walk ended, participants gathered for the first annual Walk Post Party, sponsored by MOMs Pharmacy.  The Post Party included various food donations from local restaurants, and from Lifelong’s food program, Chicken Soup Brigade.  Walkers mingled over food while enjoying music and each other’s company.

This year’s Seattle AIDS Walk brought together families, friends, partners, colleagues, and teammates and united them in the fight against HIV and AIDS. So many people are affected by this disease, and the generous support from our community truly makes a difference.  Thank you so much for your participation as a Walker, Team Captain, Volunteer and Donor.  Although we all walk for different reasons, we share a common goal to remind others the fight is not yet over.

Thanks,

David Richart
Executive Director

CARING FOR PEOPLE:

Each month, Chicken Soup Brigade hosts Mama’s Dish, a congregant lunch for clients. After lunch, our Dieticians hold an interactive workshop to help clients understand how healthy eating combined with their medications can support and improve their health. If you are a client interested in participating or if you wish to learn more, please contact our Care Coordinators at 206.957.2010

PREVENTING NEW INFECTIONS:

Lifelong’s Director of Prevention and Education, Erick Seelbach, spent time last month teaching in Olympia at the latest series of HIV Prevention Essentials trainings.  These trainings were a Department of Health sponsored, statewide training for new HIV prevention workers.  As Community Prevention Co-Chair of the Seattle HIV/AIDS Planning Council, he is actively engaged with the Prevention Prioritization Steering Committee to gear up for the 2009 Prioritization Process, which will shape the available funding for 2010-2011.
                                       

ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE:

AIDS Awareness & Action Day (A3 Day) will take place on February 18, 2009. Every two years advocates from across Washington State gather in Olympia to educate state lawmakers about the need for HIV and AIDS prevention and care services in our state. 2009 will be a critical year for HIV and AIDS advocates - Washington State Legislature will be faced with a $3.3 million budget deficit. By participating in A3 Day, you can help make sure every elected official in Olympia understands why HIV and AIDS services are critical and why they need to be fully funded. To be a part of this exciting day, please contact our Policy & Advocacy Team at advocacy@llaa.org or 206.957.1611.

CREATING COMMUNITY:

Thank you once again to all the walkers, volunteers and donors for doing your part to make the 22^nd Annual Seattle AIDS Walk a great success!  

Thank you to our Sponsors: MOMs Pharmacy, Nordstrom, Microsoft, Ernst & Young, Swedish Medical Center, Safeco Insurance Foundation, Amtrak, Heller Ehrman, GSBA, and Whole Foods Market Westlake and Dermik Aesthetics.

Special thanks to our media partners: Comcast, MOViN 92.5, The Mountain 103.7, The Seattle Weekly, Seattle Gay News, and KING 5.

Thank you to Ajaxx63, Arrowhead Water, and Molly Bennett Creative for their generous donations.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Ongoing: Whole Foods Market Westlake offers shoppers a 10 cent refund for bringing in their own re-usable grocery bags. Shoppers have the option to donate their refund back to Whole Foods Seattle AIDS Walk team. Good for the environment, great for Lifelong!

October 23, 2008: Be sure to buy your tickets for the Macy's Passport Event this Thursday. 100% all ticket sales will directly benefit Lifelong AIDS Alliance. To learn more about the event or to purchase tickets, visit the official Macy’s Passport website or purchase tickets at Lifelong’s Thrift Store.

Gay Bingo: Save the Date for Lifelong’s Gay Bingo! We’re getting ready to celebrate our 16^th season of being the wildest party in town! 2009’s dates and themes are the following:

·         January 10- Studio 54 Gay Bingo: At Gay Bingo, Everyone is Famous for 15 Minutes

·         February 21- The Love Boat Gay Bingo: Come Aboard, We’re Expecting You

·         March 28- Over the Top Circus Gay Bingo: The Greatest Bingo on Earth

·         April 18- Gay Paris Bingo: J’adore Gay Bingo

·         May 16- Bling Bling Bingo: Diamonds are Gay Bingo’s Best Friend

·         June 13- Adam and Steve Gay Bingo: My Big Fat Gay Wedding

Tickets go on sale to the public starting on Monday, November 3, 2008. Questions? Please contact the Events Team at events@llaa.org or call the Gay Bingo hotline at 206.323.0069.