REAL BAD XXII Donates Record-Breaking $180,000
November 12th, 2010
Grass Roots Gay Rights West (GRGR/West), producers of the annual REAL BAD fundraising party that follows San Francisco’s world-renowned Folsom Street Fair, today announced the fundraising results from REAL BAD XXII, which was held on Sunday, September 26, 2010. Despite a difficult economic backdrop, REAL BAD XXII raised an unprecedented $180,000 for worthy beneficiary organizations delivering sustainable local impact in the San Francisco area. Over the event’s history, REAL BAD has donated more than $1 million to community beneficiary organizations.
Five selected LGBT health and community service organizations are sharing the funds raised, which include 100 percent of the money collected from general admission ticket sales. The beneficiary organizations are Maitri, the only residential care facility in the Bay Area focusing on the underserved community of those dying of or severely debilitated by AIDS; The National AIDS Memorial Grove, a healing sanctuary that offers, in perpetuity, a public landscape for grieving, gathering and renewal, keeping the human tragedy of AIDS in the forefront of the national consciousness by honoring all lives touched by AIDS; Project Open Hand, a provider of food and nourishment dedicated to improving the lives of people with HIV/AIDS, seniors and the home-bound or critically ill; San Francisco Suicide Prevention, a provider of emotional support, assistance and intervention as necessary to persons in crisis and those impacted by them, without regard to race, age, religion, gender or sexual orientation; and Visual Aid, a provider of crucial services to Bay Area professional artists living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, hepatitis and other life-threatening illnesses, helping to preserve, present and promote their creative work.
“This past year has been a challenging one for non-profits, with donations down 11% across the county. We thought we could reverse that trend for REAL BAD XXII by appealing to the legendary generosity of San Francisco’s LGBT community. We asked our hosts, sponsors and guests to give just a bit more so that the valuable work of our beneficiaries could be supported, and our faith was not misplaced,” said Richard Dellefave, event chair for REAL BAD XXII. “We are overjoyed to report that we are increasing our gift by 20% - to the record-breaking amount of $180,000.”
GRGR/West also announced that the Event Chair for REAL BAD XXIII will be previous Production Chair and last year’s Vice Chair, Jim Hauck. “We are excited to have four-year Working Group veteran Jim Hauck taking the reins next year. He brings solid experience with the Working Group, as well as a broad involvement with the dance community in San Francisco and around the world,” said Board President Steve Mueller. “We’re very much looking forward to another great year of supporting the San Francisco LGBT community through the funds and partnership REAL BAD generates.
