APLA Health is excited to announce three holiday season events that will help raise critically needed funds and services for those living with HIV/AIDS and the low-income LGBTQ community. The three events are our annual World AIDS Day Food Drive, starting November 7, the 21st Toy Box Party on November 20, and the fifth annual Jolly St. Knickers Run on December 11.
Each event offers its own unique experience and invites people throughout Los Angeles County to donate time and resources in a different way. They all share one thing in common, however: They aim to bring vital support to APLA Health’s patients and clients during what can be one of the most stressful times of the year.
“This time of year can be one of the hardest for those we serve, but it can also bring warmth and comfort,” APLA Health Chief Executive Officer Craig E. Thompson says. “The support that comes from all corners of our community year after year is what makes events like these so special.”
Details for each of APLA Health’s fundraising events in November and December 2016 are listed below.
World AIDS Day Food Drive – County Wide
WHAT:
In honor of World AIDS Day, which is observed December 1, APLA Health invites you to participate in our annual countywide food drive that collects non-perishable food and personal hygiene items for people living with HIV/AIDS. Items will be distributed to clients via APLA Health’s eight Vance North Necessities of Life Program (NOLP) food pantries across the county. NOLP helps thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS and often on less than $11,000 a year, and distributes more than 130,000 bags of groceries annually.
INFO:
www.aplahealth.org/fooddrive
WHEN:
November 7 - December 25
WHERE:
Donations can be dropped off at locations throughout Los Angeles County, including the following:
Gelson’s (14 stores around Los Angeles)
SAG-AFTRA (November 14 - December 13)
5757 Wilshire Blvd., 7th Floor, Los Angeles
Pavilions – West Hollywood
8969 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
Pavilions – Hollywood
727 N. Vine St., Los Angeles
For a complete list of all locations where you can donate, see www.aplahealth.org/fooddrive.
21st Toy Box Party
WHAT:
The Toy Box Party was founded by Curt Sharp, Alan Friel, and Dana Miller and is hosted this year by Ryan Black and a special “Elf Host Committee” that includes Ryan Murphy and David Miller. Bring an unwrapped toy as price of admission and enjoy a cocktail on the house! Toy donations will be distributed to the families of APLA Health clients as holiday gifts.
WHEN:
Sunday, November 20, 4-8 p.m.
WHERE:
Pailhouse West Hollywood
8465 Holloway Dr., West Hollywood
323.656.4100
RSVP:
www.facebook.com/events/312779215744963/
DONATE:
www.aplahealth.org/toybox
5th Annual Jolly St. Knickers Underwear Fun Run
WHAT:
APLA Health and Team to End AIDS (T2) invite you to don your gay apparel in the form of sexy seasonal skivvies at the annual Jolly St. Knickers Run. Take to the streets of West Hollywood for this fun 5K and help APLA Health raise funds to ensure that the low-income LGBTQ community has access to HIV prevention services such as PrEP, as well as comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health care.
WHEN:
Sunday, December 11
Check-in begins: 9:30 a.m.
Race begins: 11 a.m.
WHERE:
Location in West Hollywood to be announced soon!
SIGN-UP:
www.facebook.com/jollystknickers/
About APLA Health: APLA Health’s mission is to achieve health care equity and promote well-being for the LGBT and other underserved communities and people living with and affected by HIV. We are a nonprofit, federally qualified health center serving more than 14,000 people annually. We provide 20 different services from 15 locations throughout Los Angeles County, including: medical, dental, and behavioral health care; PrEP counseling and management; health education and HIV prevention; and STD screening and treatment. For people living with HIV, we offer housing support; benefits counseling; home health care; and the Vance North Necessities of Life Program food pantries; among several other critically needed services. Additionally, we are leaders in advocating for policy and legislation that positively impacts the LGBT and HIV communities, provide capacity-building assistance to health departments across the country, and conduct community-based research on issues affecting the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us at aplahealth.org.
