Every year during my “charity season,” I make a special effort to donate one of my artworks to the Albany Damien Center for their fundraisers. In the past, they’ve had art auctions where two of my Dream Windows have found new homes.
This time, the Damien Center’s big fundraising event is called STYLIN’, an October 18 fashion show and fundraiser that will turn Albany’s TASTE restaurant into a dazzling runway extravaganza. With fashions provided by both Circles of Stuyvesant Plaza and Amore Clothing, STYLIN’ promises to entertain and enthrall.
And although there was not a plan to put together an art auction this year, once the Damien Center heard about my color-changing Fagbug and Vaudeville artwork, they wanted it as part of the event.
I mean, how can you not invite this little color-changing Volkswagen to the event? It already looks like it’s ready to party with the best and the rest.
Besides, I consider the work that the Albany Damien Center does as extremely important. They provide an AIDS Community Center for those affected by this vicious and tragic disease; they are also involved in vocational training and therapeutic pet support, among other endeavors.
Here’s some more information about what the Damien Center tries to achieve every day, as gleaned from their website.
Proceeds from STYLIN’ will support crucial, life-changing services for our members in need; people living with, and affected by HIV/AIDS.
The Albany Damien Center provides daily programs, activities, and services designed to improve health, reduce stress, and increase quality of life in a warm environment where people can gather to share their experiences, get information, and make new friends — friends who understand what it is like to live with this disease.
While new HIV therapies are helping people live longer … stigma, poverty, and isolation cause too many to go without life-saving treatment and support. New York State remains at the epicenter of the HIV epidemic in the USA, ranking first in terms of the number of persons living with HIV/AIDS nationally.
In the Capital Region, 57% of people living with HIV/AIDS do not receive continuous care and 60% are not virally suppressed, leaving them at great risk for serious health issues which makes our services more critical than ever before.
As far as I’m concerned, what the Damien Center does is extremely important – not only for those affected and afflicted with HIV/AIDS, but also their families, their friends, their loved ones and their communities.
If you want to help the Albany Damien Center, either by purchasing tickets to STYLIN’ or for any of their other charitable fundraisers; or if you wish to volunteer time and energy to their mission, please visit their website.
Because it shouldn’t be, “You need to get some help.”
It really should be… “How can I help.”
Chuck The Writer 