FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steven Henke
[email protected]
(760) 656-8401
2017 World AIDS Day Celebration
Everyday Heroes Honors Local Community Members In Action
PALM SPRINGS, CA (November 1, 2017) On World AIDS Day 2017, Desert AIDS Project will honor four community members who’ve made it their mission to get into action by supporting its mission to enhance and promote the health and well-being of our community. This year marks the fourth year that D.A.P. will celebrate World AIDS Day by shining a spotlight on unsung local heroes. The event will be hosted by Bruce Vilanch and feature a special performance by Broadway’s James Snyder.
“World AIDS Day is a day many of us take time to remember those lost and to renew our resolve to take action moving forward,” says Darrell Tucci, our Chief Development Officer. “Everyday Heroes is meant to remember and honor the everyday person going to extraordinary lengths to support those living with HIV and to bring an end to the epidemic. We’ll be honoring people who contribute their time and talent to supporting the mission of Desert AIDS Project.”
This year, attendees will applaud Art Hall, Lynn Hammond, Mathew Stocker and Tom Oliver and the recipient of the First Annual State Farm Good Neighbor Award.
Nominations for the First Annual State Farm Good Neighbor Award can be made until November 3 at www.desertaidsproject.org/everyday-heroes-nomination
The evening of Champagne toasts, awards and entertainment, starts at 5:30 p.m. at Camelot Theatres on Baristo Road in Palm Springs. This year’s event welcome’s back Event Co-Chairs, Terri Ketover, Ann Sheffer, and Tom Truhe. Michael Childers is Honorary Chair. The event will be produced by Frank Goldstin of Momentous Events and catered by LULU California Bistro.
Art Hall, most well known as the proprietor of First Gallery in Rancho Mirage has been on the front lines of the AIDS epidemic since the early 1980’s when he would volunteer at the hospital to feed AIDS patients. Over time he brought his love of art to Desert AIDS Project, curating both D.A.P.’s original offices and our current ones with the magical art collection from Steve Chase. Ever since, Art has framed every piece of donated art to D.A.P. for free, helping the organization raise countless thousands of dollars to serve our clients.
Lynn Hammond, of Palm Springs, is often the quiet person in the kitchen donating delicious food for countless fundraising, staff and client events for Desert AIDS Project and many other local and national non-profit organizations. Lynn also serves on the leadership committee for our Partners for Life giving program and currently serves as Co-Chair of the annual Palm Springs HRC Garden Party.
Mathew Stocker and Tom Oliver are voracious volunteers for Desert AIDS Project and other local non-profits. Their volunteerism has become so prolific that it is not unusual to find Matt and Tom volunteering at multiple events in the same evening. From serving food and beverage, to checking in guests, they help D.A.P. and dozens of other organizations by being the good will ambassadors who greet everyone with their signature smile and welcoming demeanor.
We invite you to join us, not just today as we commemorate World AIDS Day, but every day. Let’s End It. End Isolation. End Stigma. End HIV Transmission.
WHAT: EVERYDAY HEROES
WHEN: DECEMBER 1, 2017 5:30pm
WHERE: CAMELOT THEATRES, PALM SPRINGS
WHY: A WORLD AIDS DAY CELEBRATION SALUTING THE VALLEY’S EVERYDAY HEROES
TICKETS: $40 General, $75 Preferred, $150 VIP www.desertaidsproject.org/event
Schedule of Events
5:30 Champagne Reception
6:30 Awards Show and Entertainment featuring James Snyder and Bruce Vilanch
8:10 Cocktail & Hors d’oeuvres Reception
2017 Everyday Heroes Sponsors
Major Sponsors: Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation, Momentous Events, Lulu California Bistro, Trick Dog Films, Sanctuary Palm Springs, The Desert Sun, AFR Event Furnishings, Compass Rose Financial, Gilead
Award Sponsors: Eight 4 Nine Restaurant & Lounge, Contempo Lending, Canyon Pacific Insurance
Media Sponsors: The Standard Magazine, Outrageous City, CV Independent, Gay Desert Guide, Promo Homo TV, GED Magazine, Hollywood Times
About Desert AIDS Project
Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services. D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide free HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future. D.A.P. has earned a “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year – landing D.A.P. in the top 6% of nonprofits rated. The distinction recognizes that we exceed industry standards in terms of our financial health, accountability, and transparency. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.
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