Academy of Friends (AOF) presents “A Gathering of Royals,” the 36th Annual Academy Awards Night Gala and fundraiser on Sunday, February 28, at the Design Center Galleria, San Francisco. The legacy of AOF continues as groups of friends celebrate the tradition of watching the annual Oscars broadcast while raising money for Bay Area HIV/AIDS services. Guests will sample delicious bites from local restaurants and caterers while sipping champagne, wine and mixed drinks. After the Oscars telecast, attendees can enjoy performances from the cast of Dirty Dancing. Additional entertainment includes DJ dancing.
When the Academy of Friends was founded in 1980, it was a small, private Academy Awards night party shared by 25 friends over a little food, champagne and Hollywood glamour. This annual gathering soon formalized itself into a gala party with the expressed mission of raising revenue and awareness of the scourge of HIV and AIDS affecting the greater San Francisco community. During the ensuing 36 years, Academy of Friends has become acclaimed nationwide for producing one of the biggest and best formal attire Academy Awards parties outside of Los Angeles, all done with the express purpose of celebrating life and empowering hope.
At AOF’s centerpiece gala, individual and corporate sponsors are the framework of raising funds. This enables 100% of the money from individual tickets, raffle tickets and the silent auction to directly support the beneficiary agencies.
“The work of Academy of Friends would not be possible without the efforts of my colleagues, an all volunteer board,” AOF Board Chair Gil Padia told the San Francisco Bay Times. He added, “It’s a diverse group of individuals, including long standing HIV/AIDS supporters as well young 25–40-year-old individuals who are looking to give philanthropically by supporting a worthy cause.”
This year, AOF is very excited to have an amazing list of businesses helping support the event. These include presenting sponsor Nordstrom, and major sponsors Western Health Advantage, Mercedes-Benz of San Francisco, Ketel One, Smirnoff, Eleven Inc, iHeartRadio, Fitness SF, California Wellness, SHN, Gucci, Perry’s, SF Design Center Galleria and White Rain Productions.
As new HIV/AIDS pharmaceutical drugs continue to assist those living with the disease, new infections continue to occur. The fight to help those afflicted is not over, and support from the Bay Area to provide a variety of resources is still needed. Since 1980, AOF has raised over $8.65 million dollars and provides grants to support organizations delivering a broad range of community services including food, housing, counseling, financial assistance, legal services and communications.
VIP and general admission tickets are available for purchase at: https://academyoffriends2016gala.eventbrite.com
To learn more about the 2016 Gala, to become an Individual Sponsor, Corporate Sponsor, or simply to volunteer, please call 415-995-9890 or visit www.AcademyOfFriends.org
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