VENTURA : Dance-a-Thon Benefits New AIDS Facility

Five hours of music and dance attracted hundreds of people to the Ventura Theatre on Sunday for the Christopher House’s first Dance-a-Thon, a fund-raising benefit for Ventura’s only home for AIDS patients.

“We really need housing for people who are infected with HIV and AIDS,” said Martina Rippey, who helped organize Sunday’s benefit. “Many times these people have nowhere else to stay because their families have turned them away.”

The theater space and food were donated by local businesses and groups eager to support the Christopher House Foundation, which operates the 12-bed facility on Thompson Boulevard.

The event netted the organization an estimated $7,000, according to a Christopher House spokesman.

“The house is all full, but we just lost one (patient) last week,” said foundation board member Edwina Garcia. “Someone else will move into that room soon.”

Alison Arngrim, who played the spiteful Nellie Olsen on the “Little House on the Prairie” television show, was the guest emcee for Sunday’s fund-raiser.

“Steve Tracy, my husband on the show, died of AIDS,” she said. “I was good friends with him and took it pretty hard. So ever since then I’ve been involved in the cause.”

Joni Bernard, a psychiatric technician who works at Ventura County Mental Health, brought her husband, Jose, and their two young boys to the dance marathon.

“I think this is the beginning of a long road ahead of us,” said Bernard, who raised $210 by soliciting sponsors to pledge donations. “There’s a real need for people to be informed about the magnitude of this illness and how it’s affecting people’s lives.”

For Alexis Krajeski, the benefit Sunday was a chance to help a good cause and have some fun.

“I just love to dance,” said the 16-year-old Agoura High School student, who raised $65 in pledges. “Besides, AIDS needs more research and attention.”

The Christopher House opened June 1 after a four-year effort supported primarily by volunteers and donations.