PALM SPRINGS –
August 31, 2016: AIDS Assistance Program – Food Samaritans (AAP) announces the return of an exclusive, star-studded event in support of its vital food voucher program. Hollywood Dine and Dish III will take place at
7 pm on
Saturday, October 29, 2016 at a private estate in Palm Springs.
Continue Reading
Written by Tim O'Bayley on .
PALM SPRINGS – June 8, 2016: AIDS Assistance Program - Food Samaritans (AAP) announced today that Renova Solar has pledged to donate $1,000 for every new Renova client that installs solar panels at their residence or commercial building from now until October 1, 2016. For any Coachella Valley Southern California Edison homeowner who mentions AIDS Assistance Program as their referral source and completes an installation through a purchase or lease, Renova will contribute $1,000 to AAP in honor of that customer. If the customer decides not to proceed with solar or chooses a competitor after an in-home consultation, Renova will still make a $100 donation to AAP.
Continue Reading
Written by Tim O'Bayley on .
PALM SPRINGS – May 4, 2016: AIDS Assistance Program – Food Samaritans (AAP) will host its spectacular Sixth Annual Independence Day celebration and fundraiser on Monday, July 4, 2016 at the historic O’Donnell House, perched high on the mountainside above the Palm Springs Art Museum, at 412 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way. The event begins at 7:30 pm, and the City of Palm Springs’ fireworks display will commence at 9:15 pm.
Continue Reading
Written by Tim O'Bayley on .
PALM SPRINGS – April 27, 2016: AIDS Assistance Program - Food Samaritans (AAP) announced today that the Auen Foundation recently awarded a $25,000 grant to the organization to support its food voucher program for low-income Coachella Valley residents who suffer from HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. This is the 17th consecutive year that the Auen Foundation has supported this program.
Continue Reading
Written by Tim O'Bayley on .
AIDS Assistance Program – Food Samaritans (AAP) is pleased to announce several community leaders will be honored at the 23rd annual Evening Under the Stars gala, scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2016, at 6 p.m. at the O’Donnell Golf Club in Palm Springs. The 2016 honorees include:
Continue Reading
Written on .
January 28, 2016
AIDS Assistance Program – Food Samaritans (AAP) announces its 23nd annual Evening Under the Stars gala will feature a performance by music legends ‘Village People.’ The event will take place Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 5:30 PM at the O’Donnell Golf Club in Palm Springs.
Formed in 1977, Village People has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and recently received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Known for their high-energy shows and mega-hits like ‘YMCA’, ‘Macho Man’, ‘Go West’, and ‘In the Navy’, the group continues to tour and make appearances around the world.
“Continuing our tradition of providing great entertainment that gets people up and dancing, we’re bringing the iconic Village People to our village of Palm Springs for one magical night,” said Mark Anton, Executive Director of AIDS Assistance Program. “Their impact on music has earned them the title ‘Kings of Disco’ and these six talented men combine energetic choreography with outrageous fun. Their music will have everyone on their feet!”
Considered by many to be the unofficial finale of the desert social season, Evening Under the Stars was named ‘Best Annual Charity Event’ in the inaugural ‘Best of Coachella Valley’ reader’s poll sponsored by Coachella Valley Independent. AAP was also recently voted ‘Best Service-Oriented Charity/Non-profit’ in The Desert Sun/Desert Magazine’s ‘Best of the Valley’ competition, and Desert Outlook magazine’s Ultimate Pride competition. In addition, Evening Under the Stars was voted ‘Most Fun Annual Fundraiser’ by voters in the Ultimate Pride competition. In conjunction with the organization’s Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program, Evening Under the Stars provides the majority of funding for AAP’s food voucher program for low-income residents of the Palm Springs area living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses.
In addition to exciting entertainment and dancing, gala festivities will also include refreshing cocktails, delectable cuisine, and inspiring honorees. Tickets for the benefit, priced at $395 and $500 per person, are now available for purchase. Please call AIDS Assistance Program at 760-325-8481 or visit aidsassistance.org. Individual VIP seats and sponsorship opportunities are also available.
ABOUT VILLAGE PEOPLE
The world-famous group was formed in 1977 in New York’s Greenwich Village and their early popularity was primarily in discothèques and gay clubs. That changed in 1978 when their single "Macho Man" brought them mainstream attention, and their follow-up single "Y.M.C.A." became one of the most popular hits of the 1970s. Not only is Village People a disco icon, they've also been credited with helping to bring ‘gay culture’ to the mainstream. In fact, the widely known "Y.M.C.A." dance was not created by the group; the kids from Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand' actually started the hand motions.
The group's fame peaked in 1979, when they made several appearances on The Merv Griffin Show and traveled with Bob Hope to entertain U.S. troops. Over the years Village People and their music has been a part of many television shows, movies, concert tours, and performances ranging from Jerry Lewis's Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon to the 7th inning stretch at Yankee Stadium during a Major League Baseball All Stars game. They have been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone, and in 2004, they performed as the opening act for Cher on her Farewell Tour.
ABOUT EVENING UNDER THE STARS
Over the years Evening Under the Stars has featured the talents of a wide variety of entertainers. In 2014, an electrifying performance by the First Ladies of Disco – Linda Clifford, France Joli, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Maxine Nightingale, Pamala Stanley, Anita Ward, Martha Wash, and the ladies formerly of Chic: Alfa Anderson, Luci Martin, and Norma Jean – had everyone on their feet with an amazing night of 70’s dance music. Headliners Nell Carter, Tyne Daly, Melissa Manchester, Jane Oliver, Lorna Luft, Suzanne Somers, Bea Arthur, Barry Manilow, Nancy Wilson, Lily Tomlin and the entire remaining cast of Laugh In, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Pink Martini, The B-52s, The Go-Go’s, Cyndi Lauper, and Darlene Love have all taken the stage in support of this very worthy cause.
ABOUT AIDS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Now in its 25th year of service to the community, AIDS Assistance Program of Palm Springs remains dedicated to providing nutritional support to improve the quality of the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. Initiated by a small group of concerned citizens led by the late Gloria Greene and Jeannette Rockefeller, AAP provides nutritional support to members of the community with low incomes.
For more information, please call 760-325-8481
Written on .
25th Annual Softball Tournament Features LGBT Players, is Free to the Public
January 5, 2015
AIDS Assistance Program – Food Samaritans (AAP), in cooperation with the City of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Gay Softball League, announces the 25th Annual Palm Springs Winter Classic Softball Tournament will take place February 12-14, 2016. The teams participating in the tournament, which benefits AAP, are members of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting amateur athletics for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
Registration and a public opening reception will take place on Friday, February 12, 2016 from 7-10 pm at Hunter’s Nightclub, 302 East Arenas Road in Palm Springs. Throughout the weekend, teams will compete on several fields, including Demuth Park in Palm Springs and the Big League Dreams Sports Field in Cathedral City. All games are free to the public. Competition is open to a maximum of 80 teams in various divisions of play, and the tournament schedule will be posted
at pswinterclassic.com after January 25, 2016.
“This is a fun event for players and spectators, and the fact that it benefits AIDS Assistance Program makes it that much more rewarding for us,” says Vicki Oltean, Tournament Director. “We hope the public comes out to the opening reception at Hunter’s on Friday night to meet the athletes, buy souvenir shirts and support this 25-year tradition of softball in the desert.”
The ‘Winter Classic’ was established in 1991 as a fundraising event to help offset out-of-town tournament travel expenses for the Desert Heat Softball team members. Local host hotels have also agreed to donate 10% of that weekend’s proceeds to AAP. For more information, visit pswinterclassic.com or call 760-323-8277.
Since its founding in 1991, AIDS Assistance Program – Food Samaritans remains dedicated to providing nutritional support to improve the quality of the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, and will expand its mission in 2016 to include other chronic illnesses. Initiated by a small group of concerned citizens led by the late Gloria Greene and Jeannette Rockefeller, AAP provides food vouchers to members of the community with low incomes. For more information, please call 760/325-8481.
Written on .
Non-Profit Is Expanding Its Mission to Include Residents With Other Chronic Illnesses
October 28, 2015
AIDS Assistance Program –Food Samaritans (AAP) is pleased to announce a series of events hosted by friends and partner organizations that are designed to benefit the expansion of its health-sustaining food voucher program to low-income Coachella Valley residents with any serious chronic illness, in addition to HIV/AIDS.
Providing nutritional support to help improve the lives of local residents living with HIV/AIDS since 1991, AAP will expand its mission to include other low-income people living with chronic and life-threatening illnesses beginning in January 2016. With approximately $250,000 needed to get the program up and running, partner organizations have stepped in to assist with fundraising efforts by hosting a variety of events in the month of November:
Gand Band-A-Gogo – a reception featuring the Chicago sound of the Gand Band on Saturday, November 14 at Zeldas Nightclub from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Drawing from musical influences that include Motown, 1960’s Psychedelic, Spy Music, Chicago Blues, and Ultra Lounge, the Gand Band’s dynamic husband and wife team of Joan and Gary Gand are hosting this event to kick-start the fundraising necessary to launch Food Samaritans. Enjoy delicious appetizers and a cash bar. Tickets, $25 per person and up, may be purchased in advance
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2432119.
22nd Annual Palm Springs Open – an international tennis tournament Friday, November 27 – Sunday, November 29 at Mission Hills Country Club, Monterey Country Club, Plaza Racquet Club, and Rancho Las Palmas Country Club. Run by the Desert Tennis Association, a non-profit corporation that organizes tennis events and raises funds for local charities, the tournament attracts more than 300 LGBT players from around the world. Admission is free to the public. Visit deserttennis.us for a complete schedule of matches.
Gamma Mu Foundation presents “Transition into the Season” on Friday, November 27 at 5PM, a festive party to kick off the holiday season. Located at an exclusive private estate in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood of Palm Springs, guests will enjoy fabulous entertainment, hosted bar, and a delectable array of appetizers at this reception benefiting both organizations. Tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased at aidsassistance.org or by calling the AAP office at 760-325-8481. Gamma Mu Foundation seeks to make a positive difference in the LGBT community, primarily in rural and other underserved areas of the US. Visit gammamufoundation.org.
“I’m thrilled that our announcement about expanding AAP’s food voucher program to include those with other chronic illnesses has been so well received by the community,” stated Mark Anton, Executive Director of AIDS Assistance Program. “There’s a real need among the less fortunate in the Coachella Valley, particularly during the holiday season, and we are extremely grateful to all the individuals and organizations who have stepped up to support this new endeavor. It warms my heart to know that so many people care enough to act.”
Also scheduled during Thanksgiving weekend, AAP presents ‘Eat, Drink & Be Merry’ on Saturday, November 28 at The Bougainvillea Room at Spencer’s Restaurant. The evening will begin with cocktails at 7 p.m., followed by dinner at 8 p.m. and a smooth jazz and blues performance by local singing sensation Keisha D, named Best Vocalist in McCallum Theater's 2008 Open Call competition. Festive cocktails, delectable cuisine, and valet parking will be included, plus a special opportunity to surprise some of AAP’s most unfortunate clients with gifts for the holidays. Tickets are $175 per person and may be purchased by calling 760-325-8481 or visit aidsassistance.org.
Funds generated from these events will support AAP’s food voucher program, contributing to the $50,000 needed each month to continue those vital services. AAP receives no federal or state funding, relying on the generosity of private donors and other organizations.
AIDS Assistance Program – Food Samaritans is dedicated to providing nutritional support to improve the quality of the lives of low-income people living with HIV/AIDS in the Coachella Valley, and will expand its mission in 2016 to include other chronic illnesses. For more information, please call 760/325-8481
Written on .
Featuring Singing Sensation Keisha D and Opportunities to Assist Low-Income Families
October 27, 2015
AIDS Assistance Program – Food Samaritans (AAP) will serve up an evening of comfort and joy this holiday season to help low-income residents in need on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at The Bougainvillea Room at Spencer’s Restaurant, located at 701 W. Baristo Road in Palm Springs.
The evening will begin with cocktails at 7 p.m., followed by dinner at 8 p.m. and a smooth jazz and blues performance by local singing sensation Keisha D, winner of the prestigious Best Vocalist title in McCallum Theater's highly acclaimed annual Open Call in 2008. Festive cocktails, delectable cuisine, and valet parking will be included, plus a special opportunity to surprise some of AAP’s most unfortunate clients with gifts for the holidays.
“This time of year can be especially challenging for those with little money who are also suffering with chronic illness,” explained Mark Anton, Executive Director of AIDS Assistance Program. “More than 500 clients rely on us for food each month – a responsibility we take very seriously. This year, we’re going the extra mile by providing our supporters with additional opportunities to furnish much-needed household items and toys to these families.”
Unwrapped toys or gift cards will be accepted at the event. For those who don’t bring a gift and still want to help, special holiday ornaments with “wish list” items will be available. All funds generated from the event will support AAP’s food voucher program, contributing to the $50,000 needed each month to continue those vital services. AAP receives no federal or state funding, relying on the generosity of private donors and other organizations.
Tickets for ‘Eat, Drink & Be Merry’ are $175 per person and may be purchased by calling 760-325-8481 or visit aidsassistance.org.
Since its founding in 1991, AIDS Assistance Program – Food Samaritans remains dedicated to providing nutritional support to improve the quality of the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, and will expand its mission in 2016 to include other chronic illnesses. Initiated by a small group of concerned citizens led by the late Gloria Greene and Jeannette Rockefeller, AAP provides food vouchers to members of the community with low incomes. For more information, please call 760-325-8481