AIDS ACTION EVENTS

AIDS Walk & Run Boston 2019

Sunday, June 2, 2019, DCR Hatch Memorial Shell

Sunday, June 2 marked the 34^th AIDS Walk & Run Boston on the Boston Common. Thousands of people in Greater Boston and beyond raised $500,000 for the programs and services of AIDS Action, as well as starting conversations with friends and family about HIV prevention, care, and advocacy. These supporters make a huge difference in people’s lives and allow AIDS Action to provide our clients with much needed services.

These fundraising efforts would not be possible without both corporate and individual participants. Leading fundraising teams like Dunkin’ Brands’ Team Inspire, not only raised $21,701, but also served as our Official Breakfast Sponsor and donated gift cards to each of our 260 volunteers. Other top fundraising teams included The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard ($64,904), John’s Team ($28,880), Vertex ($15,000), and Team Fenway Family ($14,412). The top five individual fundraisers in 2019 were Bruce Walker, Jim Haber, Jonathan Urbach, Kevin Matthews, and Warren Schur.

Taste of the South End

March 19, 2019, Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts

On March 19, 2019, AIDS Action once again hosted a fantastic culinary adventure at the annual Taste of the South End. You are the reason that 2019 was such a success! This is Boston’s premier food and wine experience that unites the best restaurants the South End has to offer with the neighborhood’s commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS.

Almost 1,000 guests from Greater Boston and beyond came out to sample delicious food, live cooking demonstrations, wine and beer tasting, and more for an upscale night of fantastic food and culture. The event was made possible by our fabulous host committee, generous sponsor partnerships, the Boston community, and 40 amazing restaurants who support us in excelling in our fundraising goals in support of AIDS Action.

Taste of the South End continues to impress, raising over $150,000 to help support AIDS Action’s critical programs and services. Thank you to all of our sponsors, restaurants, donors, attendees, and to all of our in-kind donors for the fabulous destinations, restaurant gift cards, and prizes that raised over $20,000 in the amazing silent auction!

ARTcetera

October 27, 2018, The Park Plaza Castle

More than twenty-five years ago, a group of Boston-area artists came together in response to the AIDS crisis, which was claiming the lives of so many of their friends, fellow artists, and colleagues. They created and organized the first ARTcetera, a contemporary art auction held at Boston City Hall, to raise money for AIDS Action. Over the years, ARTcetera has grown to become one of New England’s premier art auctions and an essential funding source for AIDS Action.

ARTcetera 2018 raised almost $350,000, welcomed 425 attendees, and featured over 220 contemporary art pieces from artists including Bill Thompson, Kate Hush, Juan Travieso, and Salvador Dali. We are so grateful to Presenting sponsor Fidelity Investments. Thank you to Rafanelli Events, the Catered Affair, Urbanity Dance, and DJ Dayglow for creating ARTcetera magic! AIDS Action couldn’t be more appreciative for the support of the artists, donors, and attendees whose generosity makes it possible for all funds raised at ARTcetera to go directly to changing lives.

Harbor to the Bay

September 15, 2019

Since its founding in 2003, Harbor to the Bay, a 125 mile AIDS benefit bike ride from Boston to Provincetown has raised over $5 million for four local HIV/AIDS organizations, including AIDS Action. 100% of all rider-received pledges directly supports the programs and services of the organization.

2018 was the twelfth year AIDS Action has participated, with 51 riders and crew members. The Harbor to the Bay ride raised almost $60,000 for AIDS Action, bringing our organization’s total to over $900,000 over the past 12 years to help those with HIV/AIDS live better lives.

Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast

March 30, 2019, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

In 2019, the Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast celebrated its 30^th anniversary with the theme, 30 Years, a Charge to Keep and be Kept. The Breakfast commemorates and celebrates the life and work of Bayard Rustin, one of the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. The Breakfast recognizes the roles of individuals from LGBTQIA+ communities of color in the fight against HIV/AIDS.