On Sunday, September 30, AIDS Care, Inc., presented its Ninth Annual Fall Brunch and Awards Ceremony at RS (Rattlesnake) Jones restaurant in Merrick. The Fall Brunch has become a highly anticipated annual event in the Long Island gay and lesbian community. It falls (no pun intended) at that time of the year when that first cool autumn breeze alerts us to the fact that summer-- the season of Fire Island and the Pride Parade-- is sadly over with. It's time for leather jackets, faded tan lines, and waiting outside on line in the cold air to get into a crowded club, only to sweat like crazy once you're inside. Nevertheless, even though it was cold and (very) rainy outside that morning, inside RS Jones it couldn't have been a warmer or more welcome atmosphere. The ladies of RS Jones put on a spread that included the restaurant's famous Smashed Potatoes, pumpkin soup, pork chops, scrambled eggs and bacon, and more-- topped off with apple crisp and bread pudding. As promised, there were Georgia Peach cocktails and live entertainment. Anyone familiar with RS Jones' food and atmosphere knows that this event was guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser! And, if you showed up late (AKA "Gay Time"), it was standing-room only! Among the attendees were Peter, Patrick Finn's best friend and bartender from Blanche, who bragged, "I closed the bar last night and still made it here!" Kevin and Frank from Blanche were also there. Peter Scibilla, Co-Chairman of the Corporate Sponsorship Committee of the Long Island Pride Parade, proudly declared that this was the seventh Brunch he has been to. Peter pointed out that many of the attendees at the event that afternoon, like himself, are involved with more than one organization. "It shows everyone's commitment-- that a lot of the people here are involved in a few different groups." Representing both Auntie M's and Forevergreen was bartender Jennifer, and Gloria from Auntie M's was there also. Jennifer and Gloria were joined by Bill, Board Member of Auntie M's Helping Hands. Bill accepted, for Auntie M's, one of six Distinguished Service Awards. The individuals and/or organizations who win these Awards each year are selected by the executive staff of AIDS Care, Inc. Other Awards that afternoon went to Paul Plicco, who helped buy the "Ariel" bears-- Ty's turquoise-colored beanie baby bears dedicated to Ariel Glaser, who passed away at age 7 from complications from AIDS and whose late mother, Elizabeth, founded the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The sale of these cute bears helped raise money for AIDS Care at June's Pride Parade and at the Brunch. Frank, from Balloons N More in Farmingdale, was also honored. Special awards went to Ron Moore and to Warren Perine. Warren, who is a regular visitor to CHOLI (and former Board member - ed.) and who is involved with Marriage Equality Long Island (MELI), is sadly leaving New York for Florida with his partner. We'll miss him! Art Foley, who designed the web site for AIDS Care was honored with an award for his work on the Internet. Christ the King High School was also honored with an award, thanks to Eddie Finan, who is a teacher there. When Eddie told his students about AIDS Care, the youngsters wanted to help the organization. It's always reassuring to learn about kids out there getting involved! Thanks, Eddie, for giving them the chance!

AIDS Care, Inc. has proven itself to be the little organization that could. AIDS Care has only 12 members at large, but all of those members are highly committed to the group's mission. According to one of the group's Co-Chairmen David Quackenbush, "We are constantly reminding ourselves of what we do and why we do it. We're in it for 'the guy at the end of the line'.. "Founded in 1992 by Barbara Fischer and Patrick Finn (Patrick currently serves as a Co-Chairman.), AIDS Care, Inc. has raised $30,000 to date. That amount may not seem like a large amount, especially when compared to the sums raised by flashier, celebrity-attended events given by larger, better-known organizations. But think about this: AIDS Care, Inc. is completely run by volunteers. None of the money raised goes towards salaries, office space, or excessive "administration fees." AIDS Care used to have an office, but its staff realized that this was too much of an additional expense. Currently, the only expenses for the group come from mailings and telephone usage. Almost all-- close to 95%-- of the money raised goes DIRECTLY to the population for which the AIDS Care was created to help. The mission of this grass roots organization is simple: AIDS Care seeks to provide the highest quality of care and support to those persons infected or affected by the AIDS virus on Long Island. Money raised from fund-raising and donations may be used in variety of ways: to pay for experimental HIV drugs not covered by insurance, to taxi companies to give rides to patients when needed, and towards such "comfort expenses" such as hospital TV and phone service, which can be expensive to some patients. Recently, according to Patrick, the organization gave money to help a man defray the cost of his friend's funeral. AIDS Care, Inc. is a non-for-profit 501(c)3 charity, and currently does not accept any federal or grant money. However, according to David Quackenbush, one of the Co-Chairmen of AIDS Care since January 2001, a goal for the group in the near future is to acquire local corporate donations and/or sponsorship. Anyone who has been involved in this process knows that, in a nutshell, it ain't easy! David is aware that it will require more manpower or womanpower, and the volunteers for AIDS Care are already working overtime! In addition, accepting governmental money can mean a certain loss of freedom for AIDS Care to use their funds strictly at their own discretion. "When applying for grants, you must be very specific to what the money is being used for. In addition, it would be hard to separate government funds for individual causes," stated David.

Astonishingly, AIDS Care has gotten almost no recognition outside of the Long Island GLBT community, despite the fact that the organization has survived when several better funded, larger AIDS/HIV charities-- local or otherwise-- have folded. According to Patrick, no local politician or other predominant public figure has ever come to any AIDS Care, Inc. events, despite being invited, or even offered praise for the group's community service. Hopefully, in the future, the charity will get the attention it deserves for its past and current achievements. Patrick Finn agrees. "People do appreciate the fact that the money goes directly to the people, not for 'overhead'. Everybody who is volunteering today and who attended is here willingly, because they want to be."

Patrick Finn was pleased at the large turnout-- possibly the largest showing in all nine years of the event. He thanked the owners and staff of RS Jones and all those who attended. A healthy $340 was raised with the 50/50 raffle, and one lucky gal won $170 of that.. Other door prizes included gift certificates for a bunch of restaurants, including La Viola in Syosset. The big prize was two tickets for the Broadway musical "Chicago" with dinner for two at Chez Josephine on Manhattan's West Side. This restaurant was described in "Next" magazine as being "very romantic.".. I hope this winner carefully selects who she takes with her!

On their web site, www.AIDSCareLI.org, the organization has an extensive list of resources, including links to HIV/AIDS information sites and a list of MANY gay and gay-friendly businesses and organizations, many with links as well. Remember, this organization is strictly volunteer-run and needs a few good men and women. The group meets on the last Sunday of each month. If you can't volunteer your time, consider making a monetary donation. You can be assured that the men and women of AIDS Care Inc. will make the most out of every dollar, and will keep it within our community! Future benefits for AIDS Care,Inc. include the drag show benefit "Men In Rouge," at the Bunkhouse in Sayville, rescheduled for October 24th; and a Thanksgiving Pot Luck Dinner at Blanche on November 24th. Patrick also spoke about a "wrestling benefit" in the works. Now we're talking!

Here's to another nine Brunches-- and then some!

AIDS Care Inc.
P.O. Box 271
Hicksville, NY 11801
(516) 799-6973
www.AIDSCareLI.org

RS (Rattlesnake) Jones
153 Merrick Avenue
Merrick, NY 11566
(516) 378-7177
www.WickedGoodFood.com

Photos: Louis Trapani © 2001

Art Foley mentioned here in this article is also responsible for gaylongisland.com. Take some time to visit the web site.

Also see:
Great Day to be a Democrat