BAILEY HOUSE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

Serving the Homeless with HIV/AIDS since 1983

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With the coming of Spring, there are several great charity events worth noting.  In today’s post, I want to talk about Bailey House, an organization founded in 1983, to support and shelter homeless individuals with HIV/AIDS.

After all these years, the crusade isn’t over.  Given the extraordinary chain of events last year surrounding Hurricane Sandy, this year’s fundraiser is critical to raise enough money to continue the restoration of the facility destroyed in the storm, as well as sustaining existing services. The organization is also advancing the implementation of new programs geared to transgender youth (who are a high risk group), and a groundbreaking mental health clinic where clients are able to have their physical and mental wellbeing attended to.  You can find more information about these and other programs and services on the website.

In the past, I had been actively involved with their annual fundraiser, which is an epic party to celebrate the organization’s efforts and successes over the years.  Each year, I have witnessed the expansion of this event to attract a broader audience and raise record amounts of funding.  It is key to understand that Bailey House serves more than just gay men.  Their clients are as diverse as is New York’s population.  There is a new outreach program in place to attract support from the African-American and Hispanic communities.

This year, Bailey House will hold their first dinner, hosted by one of my favorite New Yorker’s, Jane Pauley and honoring the amazing Alan Cumming for his longtime support.  In addition, the organization will be honoring a number of grass-roots organizations and individuals who were there from the beginning, all working towards common goals. The evening looks to be a colossal fête in combination with their traditional live and silent auctions and a great party to follow.

Mr. Cumming has graciously donated tickets to the sold-out opening night of his one man performance of ‘Macbeth’ and entrance to the after-party.  Other auction highlights are commissioned portraits by noted artists, Andres Serrano and Mark Beard.  Some of the notable advocates who are gracing the Honorary Benefit Committee roster this year are Julianne Moore, Tim Gunn, Susan Sarandon, Kevin Sessums, Carmen Marc Valvo, and Lucie Arnaz.

New Yorker’s are serious-minded about their charities and supporting those of their friends and colleagues.  This event culls a vast array of art, photography, travel packages, home furnishings, fashion, fashion accessories and various other luxury items.  If you are interested in donating to the auctions there is still time.  The deadline for donation forms is March 8th.  You may email cturner@baileyhouse.org or lnewcomb@baileyhouse.org for additional information and forms.  A few desirable suggestions would be tickets to theatrical, dance or concert venues, spa visits, dinners at select restaurants, and men & women’s accessories.

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Thirty years later, organizations like Bailey House are still relevant and productive in how they support the community at large, lest we forget that there are always those who can benefit from our  benevolence.  Are own lives are enriched when we become an active contributor to our community and reach out where ever and when ever we are able to help those in need.

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John Douglas Eason, a Co-Chair for this year’s gala, expressed these words to me;
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“It has been my great privilege and joy to work with Regina Quattrochi, Alan Tanksley, and Dan Scheffey and our fabulous committee to put together an evening that promises to be not only a celebration, but a dedication to this organization, and the many heroes that were in the trenches 30 years ago at the outbreak of this catastrophic illness. This organization and the people we’ll honor were there saving lives and helping those infected with HIV/AIDS when no one else would – and we were still struggling to know what this disease was and from where it came.”

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Dan Scheffey/Gala Vice Chair, Regina Quattrochi/CEO, Alan Tanksley/Gala Co-Chair, and

John Douglas Eason/Gala Co-Chair

May I invite you to come out to support a vital organization and celebrate with your friends in making a difference towards the quality and dignity of the lives of others.  I hope to see you there!
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To purchase tickets to the event, click here.

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http://www.baileyhouse.org

Written by Carl Lana