The third annual Bar AIDS is expected to tap into a new pool of philanthropy.
The Sept. 27 event, which will raise funds for a number of local HIV/AIDS organizations, was previously held at the end of the summer — meaning college students and vacationers missed out.
Bar AIDS encourages supporters to hit participating coffeeshops and bars on a set night, and the businesses will in turn donate a portion of the proceeds to the beneficiaries.
The event was first started in Chicago, and the lead agency in that city required that all other cities host their Bar AIDS events at the same time. This year, however, that organization consented to each participating city selecting its own date for Bar AIDS.
“August is a very slow time in the city and we wanted to have this event when there are more people in town,” said Action AIDS development director Michael Byrne. “The Chicago agency this year opened up the event to any day, so we wanted to move it back so we can include students and when there are a lot more people in town.”
Joining Action AIDS as beneficiaries are AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, Mazzoni Center and Philadelphia FIGHT.
So far, seven businesses have signed on to the fundraiser — Capriccio at Café Cret, Knock, XIXNineteen, Square 1682, Tabu, Voyeur and Woody’s — and Byrne said a number of other businesses have given verbal agreement.
Last year about 18 joined in, and Byrne hopes this year will top that figure.
He said the date change has gotten a mixed reception.
“We so far have taken a step backward this year because of moving the date. It’s caused some people to get more excited and others less excited, but it’s all about the education process,” he said. “We try for bigger and bigger each year so we just need to keep reeducating people about why this is so important and keep getting more and more people on board.”
The event has a total fundraising goal of $20,000.
The companies will donate 33 percent of the profits from the entire day’s business, and individual participants will have the chance to participate in a raffle.
“It’s the easiest fundraiser — all you have to do is go out for a cup of coffee or a cocktail and you’re making a difference,” Byrne said.
For more information, visit www.actionaids.org/events/bar-aids.