Aid For AIDS

Aid For AIDS has touched the lives of over 18,000 men, women and children.

Welcome to Aid For AIDS

This is our 25th year providing assistance. Aid For AIDS has woven a tapestry of support for those in crisis who are impoverished and disabled by HIV/AIDS. Donors, grants and special events fund our emergency housing assistance, food and wellness programs.

Our Mission

Providing financial assistance for necessities of life to adults and children living below the poverty-line with HIV/AIDS primarily in Los Angeles County. Our goals are to prevent homelessness and hunger and to enhance self-sufficiency and independent living.

Results Count Move pointer through topics to see AFA's assistance in the last 12 months

n Preventing Homelessness n Keeping the lights on & water running

n Preventing Hunger n Vitamins & medications

n Reaching Doctors & Stores n Moving deposits & Expenses

Photo Gallery: Fundraising and Special Events

BEST IN DRAG SHOW. October 19, 2008.

The sixth annual BEST IN DRAG SHOW was held at the 'sold out' Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on October 19th and brought in $350,000 for Aid For AIDS. THANK YOU to our Celebrity Judges for the show:

L to R: Kathy Griffin, comedienne and celebrity judge, opened the show for the sixth year. Judges also included Charlie Sheen - with Brooke Mueller; Camryn Manheim; Jennifer Coolidge; Molly Shannon; Holland Taylor - with Master of Ceremonies Patrick Rush; Maria Menounos and John C. Reilly. Judges pose with 2008 Contestants, MC and Color Commentators Lotta Slots/Jeffrey Drew and Ida Dunham/Todd Sherry. Photos: JPI Studios

More about 2008 Show and Photos.

Best In Drag Show History.

2008 Red Carpet video: Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight

In Memory of Loved Ones & Benefiting AFA Services

AFA Volunteer Jim Crane places flowers on bronze plaques for World AIDS Day.

"The West Hollywood Memorial Walk is both a tribute to those we have lost and a promise to continue our commitment to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. The bronze memorial plaques that line the sidewalks of Santa Monica Boulevard are a visual reminder of how the AIDS epidemic has impacted the very heart of our community."

- Memorial Walk Keystone at Crescent Heights and Santa Monica Boulevard. Dedicated Dec. 1, 2003.

The West Hollywood Memorial Walk, a collaboration between Aid For AIDS and the City of West Hollywood, is a highly-respected landmark on Santa Monica Boulevard between Fairfax Avenue and Doheny Drive. You may purchase a bronze memorial plaque on the Walk in memory of someone special. Every plaque donation is used to provide funding for Aid For AIDS' pivotal services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Also accessible through Aid For AIDS' website, online guests are able to locate a loved one's name and view their memorial plaque as it appears in its permanent location on the Boulevard, along with remembrances and a photo of the loved one if provided by the plaque sponsor. Link for details.

To Donate or Provide Sponsorship

Click on the tab "Ways to Give" at the top of this page, or go directly to "Donate Online" featured at the top of our announcement column on the right.

If you would like to speak with someone about providing financial support to AFA through private donations, grants, estate planning, or sponsorship of a fundraising event, please contact Alex Strautman, AFA Director of Development at 323-656-1107, ext. 2111, or email.

Sign-up for AFA's

E-newsletter, Connections

"Connections" is sent out by email several times per year with news about upcoming AFA events and opportunities, articles and photos of recent events, current client or program statistics, recognition of supporters, and volunteer news. E-mail us your name and e-mail address: newsletter@aidforaids.net to start receiving Connections, our e-newsletter.

Connections Newsletter Archive

AFA in the Press - link here

Simply Shop to Support AFA

Ralph's requires EVERYONE to RE-REGISTER with their newer "Rewards Card." Sign-ups are only valid after August of 2008.

A simple two minutes will send a stream of dollars to AFA! Ralph’s gives a portion of their revenue from individual shoppers to the non-profit organization selected by the customer. AFA is grateful for your participation – this has been a simple and steady way to generate support for AFA client assistance. To register, you need our non-profit code # — Aid for AIDS’ NPO # is 80767. It can also be found when signing up online; visit the Ralphs website with your new card here.

“I first applied for assistance when I got sick and wasn’t able to work for a few months. I couldn’t pay rent and was on the verge of homelessness. I didn’t need help consistently, but when I did, AFA helped me get back on my feet.”

- 2008 AFA Client

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Apply For Assistance

More than 20 major agencies in Los Angeles refer clients to AFA for critical assistance. AFA has links to more than 50 service providers to further help clients. See "Programs & Services" link above. Call (323) 656-1107 Mon.- Fri. 10 AM- 4 PM.

Upcoming Special Events

AFA Silver Anniversary - 2009

This is our 25th year of service. We are planning our Silver Anniversary event for this Summer.

Best In Drag Show 2009

This annual, very entertaining and successful fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2009 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Watch for ticket information in late Summer.

RECENT EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Los Angeles Pride Parade

June 14, 2009

A crew of creative volunteers put together a memorable entry for AFA at the Pride Parade - featuring both AFA's 25 years of service and the 2008 Best In Drag Show winner, Shelby Free, with some of her court. We are grateful for our volunteers who collected donations along the parade route and for those who donated. See more photos here.

Best & Brightest and Merger Party

June 18, 2009

Aid For AIDS and The Serra Project honored those volunteers and supporters who went "above and beyond" in 2008 and celebrated their recent merger. The party was held in the beautiful home of Bryan Hollingshead and Brian Schield, a Board Member.

Go Eat Los Angeles

Feb. 26, 2009

THANK YOU for going out to eat and making this event such a success! More than 65 restaurants participated in our annual, restaurant take-out/eat-in fundraiser. Great appreciation goes to the restaurants that donated a portion of their days receipts, and to our Go Eat Los Angeles sponsors. See more at GoEatLA.org.

World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil &

West Hollywood's Warrior Awards

Dec. 1, 2008

AFA placed 150 bouquets along the West Hollywood Memorial Walk on December 1^st and joined the City of West Hollywood for a ceremony to acknowledge those in the fight against HIV and AIDS and what is still needed. It also was in remembrance of those we've lost. Speakers included West Hollywood Mayor John Duran; Rev. Neil Thomas, MCCLA Church; Tim Sullivan, Aid For AIDS Board; and Bradley Estrin, LA Gay & Lesbian Center.

The City awarded its Paul Starke Warrior Awards to four outstanding people working in the HIV/AIDS community, including AFA's nominee, Jeffrey Drew, a leading volunteer with AFA's biggest fundraiser, Best In Drag Show, for more than 11 years

Tattoo Calendar Launch Party

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008

It was a great party to launch the Zulu Tattoo Calendars benefiting AFA and to feature silent auction prints by the photographers. Many thanks to Khani and Zulu for their calendar project and kick-off event Zulu Tattoo website. Link to Zulu EVENTS or online store. See Party Photos here.

Spa Day®

Nov. 20, 2008

Thank you to the participating spas and those who supported AFA through spa treatments and purchases on November 20, 2008. See www.SpaDay.org.

Best In Drag Show

October 19, 2008

Thank you everyone. A remarkable $350,000 was raised at the 2008 Best In Drag Show on October 19th! Producer and Master of Ceremonies Patrick Rush and Producer/Director Tom Pardoe and their amazing posse of volunteers and supporters wow'd Los Angeles, again, with one of the most hilarious and fun nights of fundraising all year. The red carpet was covered by media and press including Access Hollywood, E! Online and Entertainment Tonight 2008 Photos.