An HIV/AIDS fundraiser that has been organized in cities throughout the country is making its way to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection this summer.
On Aug. 26, Philadelphia will participate for the first time in Bar AIDS, a citywide fundraiser in which local bars and coffeehouses donate a portion of their proceeds to area HIV/AIDS service organizations.
The four local beneficiaries are Action AIDS, AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia FIGHT and Mazzoni Center.
Bar AIDS originally launched in Chicago in 2004, spearheaded by nonprofit-management company EdgeAlliance.
Jim Flosi, president and CEO of EdgeAlliance, said the first Chicago event — inspired by the restaurant-based Dining Out for Life, which originated with Action AIDS — included 25 participating bars and coffeehouses, and this year he expects 50 venues to sign on, with an anticipated net profit of $50,000.
“It’s turned out to be a really great event here in Chicago, both for raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and for raising money,” he said, noting that Bar AIDS has since spread to such cities as San Francisco, Reno, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Flosi said the friendship he established with Action AIDS development director Michael Byrne through their work on their cities’ respective Dining Out for Life events allowed the two to brainstorm about expanding Bar AIDS into Philadelphia.
Action AIDS executive director Kevin Burns said he and representatives of the other agencies have been scouring bars and coffeehouses throughout the area to enlist support, and expect to have about 10 participating locations for Bar AIDS’ inaugural year. Representatives of the agencies will be on hand at all the locations distributing information about HIV transmission, prevention and services.
The bars will contribute 33 percent of their night’s profits, while the coffeehouses will give 15 percent.
Burns said the work invested by all four groups will help to generate support from a diverse audience.
“It’s been a really neat experience with the four agencies collaborating because we’ve all been reaching out to the different people we work with, so this is something that’s going to allow us to reach a lot of new and different people than we do with something like Dining Out for Life,” he said.
Mark Seaman, FIGHT development director, said the organizers also thought it was important to expand the focus beyond just establishments that have a primarily LGBT clientele.
“HIV is a pandemic that affects everyone and, for us, FIGHT’s mission isn’t just about the LGBT community but about anyone who’s infected with HIV,” Seaman said. “We wanted to make sure that the information that we’re going to be sharing during Bar AIDS reaches everyone, and everyone who’s affected by the pandemic can do their part and contribute.”
Matthew Vlahos, principal of Matthew Vlahos Public Relations, said venues South Philadelphia Taproom, Tabu, Knock, Fergie’s Pub, Woody’s and Café Cret have all signed on for Bar AIDS.
Burns noted that he anticipates Bar AIDS will see the same gradual growth as Dining Out for Life, which began with just seven participating restaurants and this year was supported by more than 200.
For more information, visit the Bar AIDS Philadelphia page on Facebook.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].