Bebashi: Transition to Hope, along with new nonprofit Urban Angel Foundation, will host the first annual Halos for Hope event from 8 p. m.-midnight Aug. 3. Bebashi is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing culturally sensitive health information and services, as well as education, direct services, research and technical assistance aimed at reducing HIV/AIDS transmissions and other health disparities in the urban community. Urban Angel Foundation recruits hundreds of individuals to provide volunteer hours and pro-bono services to urban communities. The black-tie fundraising event, which will be held in The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Samuel Hamilton Building, 128 N. Broad St., will include live entertainment from the Urban Guerilla Orchestra, a silent auction, VIP lounge, open bar and food from PAFA’s caterer, Jimmy Duffy. Proceeds from the event will benefit both Bebashi and Urban Angel Foundation. According to Bebashi director of development and communications Chanda Hurms, the event was created in part to get the message out about the services both agencies provide. “Even though Bebashi is 28 years old, and we are primarily known for our work with HIV/AIDS, we also do a variety of other services, which fly under the radar and are not as well known,” she said. “Urban Angel Foundation is a volunteer-focused organization and they are new. Even though they have a large social network of 7,000 volunteers, they are not widely known in the nonprofit sector in the city. This is an opportunity for us to work together to gain greater exposure for both organizations.” UAF executive director William Cobb said his agency will use the money raised for a new recruitment project. “UAF will launch our Urban Angel 365 project, where we will be able to recruit and disperse all of our volunteers,” he said. “Our goal is to recruit people and provide 50,000 volunteer hours.” Hurms said Bebashi intends to make Halos for Hope an annual event with a website that will work both as an ongoing project to raise money and to educate individuals about the work of both organizations. “We have an event website that we have built and it will be an ongoing website and we will continuously update information for Halos for Hope in anticipation for the next event. It will be an ongoing fundraiser,” she said. Cobb said the event is sure to be a great time for guests who want a fun night out that also helps Philadelphians in need. “It is a black-tie fundraiser that will be a great party with live entertainment and hosted in a wonderful venue where guests can view art as well,” he said. “And at the same time, you are supporting two nonprofits by doing so. It will be a lot of fun, with great causes and great people.” For more information on Halos for Hope, visit www.halosforhope.org.
