Some good friends enjoy a night at the Nantucket AIDS Network Gala event.
This crowd has the YMCA dance down.
Rafael Osona autions off a beautiful painting by Chrsitine Sanford at the Nantucket AIDS Network Gala fundraising event.
On Sunday, September 30, the Nantucket AIDS Network (NAN) hosted its 17th Annual Friendship Gala, the organization's biggest fundraising event. The fun-filled event included a cocktail reception, a live auction, and even an appearance by the disco-pop mavens, The Village People. However, The Gala event was not just fun and games. Since only 15% of NAN’s funding comes from state grants, the organization is almost entirely privately funded. The fundraising from The Gala supports crucial island programs, including testing and support for people with HIV/AIDS and sponsorship of the focused youth group, Peers Promoting AIDS Awareness (PPAA). Professional Nantucket Auctioneer Rafael Osona guided the audience as they bid for everything from romantic vacations in Paris to fine island works of art by Christine Sanford and David Lazarus. The Nantucket AIDS Network youth group Peers Promoting AIDS Awareness has certainly been active. Every year members undergo a four-hour training and information session to prepare them to support and educate their classmates. Four members from PPAA present their peer program at the national Ryan White Conference annually. Sarah Wright, Executive Director of Nantucket AIDS Network, spoke about the youth programs. “The youth are our future and that’s the population that needs to be educated," she said, "Those are the people that will take the lessons and go forward with them. We want to catch people before they get sick, not after they get sick.” In a world where “two-thirds of the people that get an HIV diagnosis get an AIDS diagnosis as well,” it’s extremely important to heed the advice of the Nantucket AIDS Network. “Knowledge is power," said Wright.
For more information on HIV/AIDS and how you can make a difference, check out our links list. Be sure to take a look at our video and slideshow from this fabulous and charitable event below.
All not-for-profit events on Plum are all brought to you by Nantucket Bank. Nantucket Bank celebrates organizations that make a difference in our community. Nantucket Bank, we’re here for you.
Photo Gallery
Video
Nantucket's community came out to support the Nantucket AIDS Network for its' 17th Annual Gala & Auction. NAN supporters enjoyed dinner with a view and danced the night away with The Village People. Take a look at the full story and slideshow here.
All not-for-profit events on Plum are all brought to you by Nantucket Bank. Nantucket Bank celebrates organizations that make a difference in our community. Nantucket Bank, we’re here for you.
Add your comments...