Winter - AIDS Emergency Fund

LEATHER AND FEATHERS,
AEF TURNS 31
WINTER 2013
The famous San Francisco Armory hosted our LEATHER and FEATHERS event
on Thursday, September 26. The event gave guests ample room for creative
costumes, several of which were recognized during the evening, and the setting
contributed to a general sense of naughtiness. Guests enjoyed sexy cocktails,
tasty bites by Macadamia Events Catering, VIP tours of Armory and sets by KINK.
com. Special thanks to our Mistresses of Ceremony, Donna Sachet and
Sister Roma. We also honored Troy Brunet, Empress XXV Marlena,
Cynthia Hester and Neil Figurelli, all remarkable individuals who have
proven their generosity and commitment to AEF again and
again. The final treat was a musical set from Billboard
Recording Artist Brian Kent, backed
by his own band.
TICKETS
SONGSOFTHESEASON.NET
SONGS OF THE
SEASON: A LABOR
OF LOVE
A LETTER FROM DONNA SACHET
For 20 years, we have gathered a talented group of
friends, found a suitable venue, produced a top notch
musical show, and raised significant money for AIDS
Emergency Fund with Donna Sachet’s Songs of the Season.
We start immediately after the shows end, analyzing
sponsorship responses, evaluating performances, critiquing the venue, reviewing promotional efforts, and
compiling it all to use the next year. Each year, around
July, Richard Sablatura, my producer for over 10 years,
begins to gently remind me of the approaching holiday
season. This year, we had an especially challenging situation with the change of management at the venue at
the Nikko Hotel, previously known as The Rrazz Room
and now Feinstein’s. Despite some greatly appreciated
help from P.R. rep Charlie Zukow, we could not come to
an agreement with this lovely venue which ensured the
right return on investment for AIDS Emergency Fund. We
have always been committed to a top quality show and
raising significant money for AEF. So, Richard and I began
the search for a new venue, one with the right acoustic
elements, ambiance, location, capacity, management,
etc. Eventually, we found it right under our own noses.
For 8 years, I have been performing in Sunday’s a Drag
at the Starlight Room in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel,
working closely with its manager Michael Pagan to
improve lighting and sound, increase promotional efforts,
maintain top quality performances, and evolve into a
“must-see” San Francisco attraction. When I saw Molly
Ringwald perform a cabaret show there in July, I knew
it would work for Songs of the Season. Because of prior
commitments, we are limited to only 2 nights and some
challenges remain, but we know we are
in great hands with Michael
Pagan, who has an extensive
background in theatre and
cabaret. Guest performers are
lining up, musicians are confirming, and generous sponsors
are clamoring for information.
So don’t delay! Donna Sachet’s
Songs of the Season returns
for its 21st year on Monday and
Tuesday, December 2nd and 3rd,
at the Starlight Room of the Sir
Francis Drake Hotel, as always,
benefiting AIDS Emergency Fund.
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Scott Wil
For millions of uninsured and/
or low-income people with disabling illnesses, the Affordable
Care Act (ACA), also known as
“Obamacare,” promises access
to quality healthcare, regardless
of income or pre-existing conditions. ACA will be the greatest
change to our country’s healthcare system in decades. While
the ACA will bring millions into
care, nearly all of AEF’s clients
disabled by HIV already have had
access to healthcare and AIDS
medications through the Ryan
White Act, which also funds supportive services like emergency
financial assistance from AEF or
meals from Open Hand.
The implementation of ACA
poses huge challenges to people
with HIV and their medical care
providers. Gradually, people with
HIV/AIDS will be moved off of
Ryan White-funded medical
care and onto Medicaid. Many
in our community are concerned
about what will happen with the
Ryan White Act. Will it stay the
same, shrink, or go away altogether? What about the funds
from Ryan White that have been
designated for the many other
life-sustaining services for people
with HIV, such as the emergency
assistance funds distributed by
AIDS Emergency Fund? These are
huge questions that now loom
over many AIDS organizations
as we make near-, medium-,
and long-term plans for how to
best serve our clients’ needs in
a rapidly changing environment.
Because all AIDS service providers must change with the times
and the populations that we serve,
the Board of Directors of AIDS
Emergency Fund is now embarking upon our strategic planning
process, which happens every
three years. We’ll closely examine
the national, state, and local government funding environments,
particularly in terms of the ACA
and Ryan White, but changes in
charitable giving to AIDS organizations and the evolving needs of
HIV-positive San Franciscans are
of equal concern.
We’re honored to have Susan
Colson, a consultant with extensive experience in nonprofit
strategic planning, leading our
charge. Other AEF Board members Eric Christiansen, Rory
Quintara, and Brad Saget, as
well as our Executive Director
Mike Smith, will also serve on
this critical project to conclude
in early 2014.
The goal of our strategic planning process is to produce a
blueprint for a secure future:
one that adds financial stability to AEF in these tumultuous
times while ensuring that AEF
continues to meet the needs of
our clients for years to come. I
look forward to sharing our findings with you in an upcoming
issue of Heart to Heart.
Dancing Queen Tea Dance is Coming in January!
DJ Russ Rich and Christopher B will be rocking out Beatbox as Dancing
Queen returns on MLK Weekend, Sunday January 19, 2014.
Our
Commun
ity
Never Sto
ps
Giving
BIGMUSCLE.COM MEET AND GREET
BigMuscle.com and BigMuscleBears.com founders
Bill Sanderson and Andy Wysocki hosted their
10th Annual Meet and Greet at DNA Lounge over
Folsom Weekend, Saturday, September 28th. This
year’s event raised a whopping $13,000!
Listening to our clients...
Lee Harrington, Client Services Director
As part of AEF’s contract with the SF Department of Public
Health, our Client Services Department conducts an annual
assessment of how we are doing at meeting the needs of our
diverse client population. The feedback we received is very positive and I thought I’d share it with you, our friends and donors.
In October, we conducted two focus groups — one for our
community partner agencies and one for our clients. We asked
the same questions of both groups: (1) What are your ideas/
suggestions about how AEF services can be designed and
improved in addressing community needs/desires; (2) How can
AEF include more clients in the planning process; (3) Does AEF
already include HIV+ community members and/or providers
in the planning process; (4) Are positive changes being made
in the community by AEF, and are the services an asset to the
community; and (5) Assuming it’s possible, what other services/
expenses should AEF offer/cover?
Both groups felt that AEF is both efficient and effective,
with a limited amount of paperwork and a quick turnaround
for payments. As to client inclusion, the clients especially felt
valued and respected just by virtue of being involved in the
focus group. Partner agencies thought having a client on the
Board would be a good way of including them in the planning
process; however, the client group did not think that would be
necessary, as they feel the Board already does a good job of
representing the needs of our clients. Both groups acknowledged
that volunteering for AEF allows clients access to the agency
and its processes, and gives the clients a chance to feel like
they are giving back to the community.
Both groups felt that AEF’s services are not only an asset to the
community but are vital in keeping people housed and healthy.
The key priorities for both groups were to maintain the present
quality and accessibility of services; to increase opportunities
for clients to communicate with AEF and help both partners
and clients feel more connected to AEF via social media and
newsletters. Over the coming year, we work to improve our
cultural competency, continue to respond to the needs of our
clients, and maintain the open, welcoming and multi-lingual
environment of our offices.
Remodeling Forces Cancellation of AEF Holiday
Dinner for People with HIV/AIDS
A Million Thanks
AEF’s annual free Christmas
Eve Day dinner for people with
HIV/AIDS will need to be cancelled for 2013 due to the renovation project at the War Memorial
Opera House, which has hosted
the event since 1988. Attended
by more than 1,100 people, the
all-day event had featured a lavish dinner of turkey with all the
trimmings and entertainment by
some of San Francisco’s most
popular performers.
“We’ve been looking at dozens of potential alternatives,
but there are so few low-cost
venues that can accommodate
1,100 people on Christmas Eve,”
said Neil Figurelli, head of the
all-volunteer committee that
plans and executes the dinner.
“It just breaks my heart to skip a
year of this important tradition.”
“With entirely donated food
and labor, the event can be produced for about $10,000,” said
Mike Smith, Executive Director
of AEF. “A hotel venue would
2013 has been a busy year for our volunteers. We started
the year with Dancing Queen T-Dance at Beatbox, then some
beerbusts at the SF Eagle, the fairs with Up Your Alley, Folsom
Street, Castro Street and then we celebrated turning 31 at the
San Francisco Armory. In between all the Leather and Feathers, all of our volunteers made a tremendous difference. We
especially want to thank all our office volunteers, who may not
work the big events, but help out with day-to-day paperwork,
errands and other inner workings of our development and
volunteer departments. Special thanks to Craig Andersen, RJ
Sloan, and Lupe Martinez for being such fantastic day-to-day
office and errand volunteers. We are so thankful and lucky to
have such great and committed volunteers. Thanks again and
Happy Holidays! Don’t forget, if you are interested in volunteering, please contact me at 415-558-6999 x 225 or send me an
email, frank.martinez@aef-sf.org.
cost ten times that, and church
spaces are being used that day
for services or don’t have big
enough kitchens for prep.”
The mostly low-income and/
or homeless attendees arrive on
foot or by public transit, so an
alternative venue would need to
be near the Tenderloin or along
the Market/Van Ness corridors.
“We’ve also come to realize that
an event of this nature needs to
be in a city-owned facility that is
welcoming to our hard-to-serve
population,” said Figurelli.
Frank Martinez, Volunteer Manager
Led each year by Neil Figurelli,
the Holiday Dinner Committee
consists of Cindy Roberts, Terry
Irvin, Randy Schiller, Gavin Middleton, Glennon Sutter, George
Macaluso, and Stanley Wong. An
additional 200 volunteers work
as serving assistants. The event
is completely underwritten by
corporate and foundation gifts,
including Steve Silver’s Beach
Blanket Babylon, Bon Appetit
Management (which donates 80
cooked and sliced turkeys!) and
the Eli and Mae Rosen Foundation, among many others.
Who’s Who
at A EF
FOUNDERS
Frederick H. Booth
, Jr.
Walter Mellon
BOARD PRESIDEN
T
Sylvester #MIGHTYREAL
Scott Williams
BOARD MEMBER
S
Derek Brocklehurst
Eric Christiansen
Lu Conrad
Karen Edwards
Lance Holman
Rory Quintana
Brad Saget
Jerry Suarez
Heather Renshaw
Vu etin
Happy Birthday to Sylvester! AEF celebrated Sylvester’s Birthday this year at the Midnight Sun and
Harvey’s in his honor and to celebrate his new
release, Mighty Real Greatest Dance Hits. Dual
parties were hosted by AEF and Project Open
EXECUTIVE DIRECT
OR
Hand; both agencies are major beneficiaries
Mike Smith
of Sylvester’s bequeathed music catalog.
STAFF
Jonathan Foulk
There was dancing, performances, trivia
Lee Harrington
Jeff Jones
and money was raised for both agencies.
Yana Martichonok
Frank Martinez
Thanks Sylvester, we love you!
Kome Muller
Even if you already own all of Sylvester’s
12 Grace Street, Su
ite 300
catalog, please consider adding this speSan Francisco, CA
94103
cial reissue package to your collection
PHONE: 415.558
.6999
and you’ll help AIDS Emergency Fund
FAX: 415.558.69
90
WEB
continue to serve our community.
aef-sf.org
Order your copy today! Digital on
barechest.org
leatherwalk.org
iTunes or CD/Vinyl on Amazon.
Federal Tax ID: 94
-2922039
OH! PRIDE PARTY AT THE POWERHOUSE!
HARDBOX AT BEATBOX
Thanks to the Oh! Party and Powerhouse Scott for the generous Pride Party
donation! Thanks for thinking of us during the busy Pride season.
Thanks Rob Saures for hosting a fabulous party, and especially thanks for over
$250 in donations you were able to raise for our clients.
SPA NIGHT AT THE LOOKOUT WITH
SISTER ROMA AND SISTER PAT!
TANATHON
What a success Sister Roma and Sister Pat had at the Lookout! Spa Night
was fabulous and the Sisters were able to raise over $400 from their event.
We love you Sisters!
BILL DOES IT AGAIN!
Donations keep coming in on behalf of tireless marathoner, Bill McCarty.
Thanks so much for your hard work and the many miles you log on behalf
of AIDS Emergency Fund. On behalf of our clients, we are forever grateful!
Keep running Bill!
SF EAGLE LEATHER DADDY AND
LEATHER BOY CONTEST 2013
Thank you SF Eagle and San Francisco Leather Daddy title holders, David
Meyer and Steve Gaynes, for hosting and passing the titles on to our new
San Francisco Leather Daddy and Boy. It was a beautiful night to gather at the
SF Eagle and see all the contestants, to participate in the fundraising raffles
and toast the new title holders. Congratulations to Brett Brockschmidt, Leather
Daddy XXIX and Leather Boy XXIX, Eric Burkett, we are all very proud to have
this tradition continue and look forward to their new reigning year. The event
raised over $600 for our clients. We are very grateful!
Our friends at Tan Bella hosted their third annual fundraiser for AEF. They
raised over $1,100 for us on this one-day fundraising event. 10% of sales
for the day went back to our clients in need. Huge shout-out to Gregory
Murray and the staff at Tan Bella for giving back to the community! We love
you! Mention AEF and you will receive a very special discount for being a
friend of AEF.
THE SUNDANCE STOMPEDE
October 31 – November 3. Four nights of dance parties. Three days of dance
workshops. Hundreds of cowfolks. One amazing weekend! AEF is grateful
to be a beneficiary of this event. A huge shout out to Ingu Yun and Dave
Hayes for all that you do for AEF and the community! We love you both!
FOLLOW US ON TW
ITTER
twitter.com/AEFsf
‘LIKE’ US ON FACE
BOOK
facebook.com/
aidsemergencyfun
d
Help AEF reach
our goal of 3,000
“likes”
EVERY PENNY COUNTS
Empty Your Drawers was held on October 13 and raised over $1,000
in loose change. Thank you to those that came
out and gave us your pennies!
Every penny does count! A
huge thank you to the Sisters
of Perpetual Indulgence and
the Bare Chest Calendar Men
for making the event fun and
festive. Lance Brittain has put
his heart and soul into EPC and
we thank you for all that you
do for us!
Become a Volunteer
To learn about how you can volunteer,
please visit: aef-sf.org/volunteernow
LeatherWalk Raised $11,000!
Former Mr. San Francisco Leather, Lance
Holman, led more than 125 people on the 22nd
annual LeatherWalk down Market Street into South
of Market, the traditional home of San Francisco’s
leather community. The Walkers raised $11,000
in pledges from friends, family and co-workers to
benefit AIDS Emergency Fund and Breast Cancer
Emergency Fund.
The traditional raising of the Leather Flag at
Harvey Milk Plaza could not take place this year,
due to new flag-raising guidelines that restrict
the use of the pole to the rainbow flag only. So a
new tradition was born on Sunday. A contingent
of former SF Leather Daddy title holders hoisted
a new leather flag up the new flagpole on the
grounds of the SF Eagle Bar.
Special thanks to all the performers who
entertained the walkers and behind the scenes
tech and production crew who helped the event
moving smoothly.
www.leatherwalk.org
SAVE THE
DATE
LeatherW
Sunday, S alk 2014
eptember
14, 2014
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
PERMIT #925
AIDS EMERGENCY FUND
Providing emergency financial assistance to people fighting HIV/AIDS
12 Grace Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, California 94103
aef-sf.org
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
2362 Market Street
www.catchsf.com
JOIN US FOR DINNER!
25% of proceeds benefit AIDS Emergency Fund and Breast Cancer Emergency Fund.
Thursday, November 21
Call now to make your reservation and mention us: (415) 431-5000