Gala Raises Thousands For HIV/AIDS Assistance
The weather was perfect Saturday night for the Aids Assistance Program’s outdoor gala in Palm Springs. The seventh annual “Evening Under The Stars” event was held at the O’Donnell Golf Club .
Thousands of guests joined in the fun and fundraising at the gala. Many donned festive, outrageous get-ups to go along with the black-tie optional theme. The event was critical for the Aids Assistance Program. It’s one of its biggest fundraisers of the year. The proceeds help fund its food voucher program for low-income men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in the valley. In previous years, the gala has covered more than half the expenses needed to feed those in need.
“We have more than 500 people here in the valley that rely on us. We provide vouchers to them twice a month. We spend about $50,000 a month to give the vouchers out. This event is very important to help us do that,” said Walter Reed, Treasurer of the Aids Assistance Program.
The entertainment featured the music of Abba performed by the Swedish group Arrival, including some of Abba’s original members. Organizers expect they raised about $300,000 through ticket and silent auction sales. That is about $100,000 more than last year.
