WORLD AIDS DAY EVENTS IN PHILADELPHIA PLUS THE DVLF TOY EVENT ON FRIDAY 12/4/09

Years ago on 12/1/09 World AIDS Day, there would be a march to Love Park to hear speeches and demand a cure for AIDS. (It wasn’t raining, the were specialty made umbrellas for the day with the proceeds going to AIDS organizations; or people could bring their own black umbrellas.)
The Marchers would even cover the Love statue in a black cloth as it’s message is “A Day Without Art.” The statue would be uncovered after the sunset. (I do have pixs somewhere of the entire statue covered, which they did in the earlier years. I should look for them.)
There are a lot of events marking this day, World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day. Governments of other nations have followed suit and issued similar announcements.

http://www.actionaids.org/

In the Philadelphia area there are a wealth of various events and ways to be involved! Click attending to show your support and participation and check back here for updates!

Manna is hosting events:
http://mannafestsatsquare1682.eventbrite.com/

There is a Vigil in Doylestown:
http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/news/intelligencer/world-aids-day-vigil-set/

Safeguards at the Broad Street Ministry:
http://www.safeguards.org/?p=129

MUSIC: Today is World AIDS Day. Some events you can attend. http://ow.ly/HvDC

Press Conference with Action AIDS: Tuesday: John Wind to announce his new limited-edition line of jewelry to raise money for local AIDS research, education and services

Details of the John Wind AIDS Jewelry Project will be unveiled at a World
AIDS Day press conference at 5:15pm

WHAT: Press conference and reception to announce “Take Action,”
ActionAIDS’ new advertising campaign – its largest since the early-90s – and
the launch of the John Wind AIDS Jewelry Project

50 percent of the proceeds from the project will go to ActionAIDS,
Pennsylvania’s largest AIDS service organization, and the Mazzoni Center,
Philadelphia’s LGBT Health Center.

WHERE: Raw’s SumoLounge, 1224 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
(Frosted white glass facade)

(I’d like to take this moment to remember some of my friends who have passed away from AIDS: (My BFF’s) Shawn Conley, Wayne Cohen, Michael Root and my friends who are currently living with the disease who I will not name. Including my friend Philip who was diagnosed in 1985 is still alive today too, just finishing his 2nd Masters this time in Library Science. He’s very open about his status and gives talks.)

Friday 12/4/09 there will be a fun fundraiser that will have a direct impact on local youth living with HIV/AIDS. The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund’s third-annual TOY returns this year and is expected to draw a record number of guests, and I hope you will be one of them.

The toy drive will be held from 7-10 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Marc Phillips Showroom at Marketplace Design Center, 2400 Market St. Each guest is asked to bring one unwrapped non-plush toy, which will be donated to the pediatric HIV/AIDS Unit at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS: 2008 co-chairs Heshie Zinman (left) and Joe Matthews are surrounded by some of the more-than 500 toys collected last year for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Tickets to TOY are $30 and can be purchased by visiting www.dvlf.org. photo: Scott A. Drake