AIDS : Hopes Tied to AIDS Fund-Raising Event

Great hopes are being pinned on the Halloween extravaganza, “All That Glitters,” to provide a much-needed boost to the city’s AIDS fund-raising efforts.

The Oct. 31 combination Halloween party and circus, to be held at the Convention Center, is expected to raise $100,000 for San Diego AIDS education and services. The flashy extravaganza, featuring a live three-ring circus, high-tech light show, and a 150-foot glittering stage ramp for costumed paraders, is being billed as the “biggest Halloween party to ever hit San Diego.”

But perhaps more importantly, it’s hoped that “All That Glitters” will give the city’s AIDS fund-raising efforts a shot in the arm.

San Diego has California’s third-highest AIDS case rate per capita according to the San Diego AIDS Foundation, but grass-roots fund raising here has had limited success.

When major fund-raising events, like the national AIDS Walk, are held here, they raise significantly less money than in other cities.

In this year’s AIDS Walk, San Francisco raised $2.5 million, which was $300,000 more than the year before, recession and all. The San Diego AIDS Walk yielded just $100,000.

The AIDS money picture brightens considerably on the level of grant-raising and charitable contributions.

The San Diego AIDS Foundation is the second-largest beneficiary, following the American Cancer Society, designated by people in San Diego who specify how they want their United Way donations distributed.

And several city agencies have successfully competed for AIDS grant money. For example, San Diego will receive $2.6 million in 1992 from the Ryan White Care Act, a federal grant made in part on the basis of the number of AIDS-diagnosed cases.

But things still come up short when it comes to direct community participation in fund-raising efforts, several AIDS activists said. They offered a few explanations why.

San Diego is short on corporate headquarters, said Amy Somers, executive director of the San Diego AIDS Foundation. In cities with more successful fund-raising efforts, corporations are big players. For example, corporations in San Francisco encourage their employees to participate in the AIDS Walk, organizing walking teams.

San Diego has many active and retired military officers living here, people who don’t view AIDS as a problem that affects them directly, said Tony Valenzuela, publicity director for “All That Glitters.”

And while the gay and lesbian community is generally commended for playing a leadership role in organizing AIDS fund raisers, they haven’t been successful in broadening interest to include the at-large, general population.

“AIDS is very visible in San Francisco,” Rene Durazzo, director of public policy for that city’s AIDS Foundation, said. “The issue has broad-based support and is on the political agenda. That’s given us a big advantage.”

Registration for “All That Glitters” has already begun. Registrants are asked to raise a minimum of $50 through sponsorships, which will serve as both an admission ticket as well as ensuring a place in the Halloween costume contest.

The event is being produced by David Bandy, who received Billboard Magazine’s top award for his innovative productions. Bandy, who was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1986, produced the opening and closing ceremonies of the first Gay Athletic Games and has produced extravaganzas at the Davies Symphony Hall and the Opera House, both in San Francisco.