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When asked what was most surprising about Up Your Alley and the Folsom Street Fair, volunteer Liz Balin answered: “… the most surprising thing I saw was that almost everyone donated generously despite the economy and joblessness. I think people on the outside view this event as the pinnacle of selfish hedonism, but I just saw big smiles and deep pockets and honest goodwill…”
As a beneficiary of Folsom Street Events (Up Your Alley, Magnitude and the Folsom Street Fair), Maitri was awarded $15,000 and as a beneficiary of Real Bad XXI, we were awarded $52,500 by Grass Roots Gay Rights West (GRGR). The events gave Maitri the unique opportunity to participate in behind-the-scenes activities by providing over 60 volunteers who all agreed that it was an “only in San Francisco” experience or as Liz puts it “…exotic people-watching on the hottest day of the year … all the free food I could want … voyeuristic front row seats … and all for a good cause … that seems like a good combo to me …” Read the article in the Bay Area Reporter (BAR) at http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=4346
While many of our special event volunteers are also trained as Maitri emotional/practical volunteers by Stan Stone, Maitri’s Volunteer Coordinator, there is a whole cadre of volunteers that help solely at special events, like the Folsom Street Fair, the Academy of Friends Gala and our signature fundraising series, Dinner at Maitri. If you would like to be notified of volunteer opportunities at special events, please contact Grant Sun in the Development Department at gsun@maitrisf.org. If you are interested in becoming a Maitri emotional/practical support volunteer, please contact Stan Stone at sstone@maitrisf.org. |
On a warm September evening, over 80 guests gathered at Maitri for a special Open House reception introducing new supporters to its facilities. The warm ambiance created by candlelight and beautiful floral arrangements donated by Church Street Flowers set the mood for a festive evening featuring insightful tours of our home and the opportunity to meet residents together with board, committee and staff members of Maitri. The highlight of the evening was an intimate performance by Spencer Day who radiated an embracing poignancy and charm. Guests were treated to a bounty of delicious hors d’oeuvres especially created by Maitri’s Executive Chef Ann Kong, Sous Chef Avital Rachmany and Chef Mellissa Prince-Giaccopazzi and the whole evening was presented with great panache by our dedicated volunteers, David, Tom, Matthew, Michael, Carlo, Patrick and Virgil. Vodka was donated by Blue Angel Vodka and delectable wine donated by CapirasoBing Consulting, Inc. The delicious fare and heartfelt congeniality created a wonderful welcome for Maitri’s newest supporters. After a tour, one guest whispered “I feel so emotional, I can cry …”.
Kudos to Jimmy Markee for putting this fun event together - especially, in securing the performance of Spencer Day.
If you are interested in volunteering at a Maitri event, please contact Grant Sun at gsun@maitrisf.org and he will make sure you are advised of our next big event. |
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| Designed by Fran Blau |
Photo by Stan Stone |
Steven Kukhahn and
Carlo Abruzzese
Photo by Mary Anne Voss
Carlo Abruzzese –
A Volunteer’s Perspective
A volunteer for Maitri since March 2009, Carlo Abruzzese happily offered his thoughts and feelings on his work with Maitri residents. On a beautiful Indian summer day enhanced by a verdant Maitri patio, Carlo sat down with Tony Adessa, Maitri’s Development Director, to provide the following background and insights. Read More
Information about volunteering at Maitri can be found here.
Helga Sigvaldadóttir: Fixer
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Helga Ingibjörg Sigvaldadóttir, Maitri’s Facility Manager since 2007, hails from Iceland. The daughter of a swimming coach and hairdresser, Helga grew up swimming and playing competitive team handball, soccer, basketball, and golf. Summer jobs during adolescence included babysitting children, working on a farm, assisting with carpentry jobs, gardening, cleaning, delivering newspapers, working in a medical pill factory and hospital laundry room, and serving as a car dealership receptionist. |
Having earned an Associate Degree in Natural Science in Iceland, Helga started a pre-med program at the University of Iceland, but decided she had another calling. In 1987, she visited the Bay Area for the first time, and a year later, moved to Emeryville to start school at the University of San Francisco and Academy of Art College. Soon thereafter, Helga moved to San Francisco and became a member of a queer-run live/work performance space in SOMA. Read More
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Academy of Friends Gala
Sunday, March 7, 2010
5:00PM – 9:00PM
Fort Mason Center – San Francisco |
Maitri is honored to be named a beneficiary of the 30th Annual Academy of Friends Gala, a glamorous event to be held on Sunday, March 7, 2010. Over the last three decades, Academy of Friends has distributed over $7.5 million to more than 71 organizations serving men, women, and children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Learn how you can support Maitri while having a fun time. |
BLISS 2009
BLISS 2009 Ambasadors
Phil Hecht: A Maitri Love Affair
A Day Filled With Pride
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Bliss Rocks
It was meant to be. The rain stopped, the fog lifted, and – as if responding on cue to a rising curtain – Bliss 2009 took its sunny spotlight. |
| (Credit: Rink Photo) |
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A well-planned, meticulously conceived affair, this eighth Bliss championed Maitri by featuring “Ambassadors” Dianne Gregory, George Stevens, Sabrina Middaugh, Kirsten Havrehed, and Matt Metcalf who, by virtue of their tremendous service and dedication, epitomize Maitri’s giving spirit. |
BLISS:
Maitri's Gala Event
Bliss Rocks
by Tony Adessa
It was meant to be. The rain stopped, the fog lifted, and – as if responding on cue to a rising curtain – Bliss 2009 took its sunny spotlight. A well-planned, meticulously conceived affair, this eighth Bliss championed Maitri by featuring “Ambassadors” Dianne Gregory, George Stevens, Sabrina Middaugh, Kirsten Havrehed, and Matt Metcalf who, by virtue of their tremendous service and dedication, epitomize Maitri’s giving spirit.
Special thanks and gratitude are due our “Gold Legacy” Sponsors: The Dorian Fund, Nordstrom, and Erich Pearson; “Silver” Sponsors: James C. Hormel, Entertainment AIDS Alliance, Nancy Nipper, and The Bob Ross Foundation; and “Bronze” Sponsors: California Pacific Medical Center, Sutter Health, and Jim King. Their financial leadership was critical in making Bliss 2009 a roaring success; thank you so very much!
A Ritual and Blessing by Janna Drahka and Issan’s Monks set the stage at the Presidio’s Golden Gate Club on May 3rd, the place to be to rejoice in and celebrate the essence of Maitri. A jam-packed assemblage of 350 persons succumbed to the irresistible temptations of an exotic live auction, extensive silent auction, raffle, and gourmet food and drink donated by celebrated local restaurants and wineries as well as Maitri’s inimitable kitchen staff – represented by Ann Kong, Francis Sipin, and Avi Rachmany.
Further entertainment and diversions comprised a beauty room, tea ceremony provided by Nichi Bei Kai Cultural Center, the Heiwa Taiko drummers, koto player Brian Mitsuhiro Wong, Tahiti Nui Dancers, singer Paula West (contributing a gorgeous impromptu rendering), Juanita More! & the More Boys, and Joey Altman and his Back Burner Blues Band rounded-out an impressive array of dazzling performers. Local politicians Mark Leno and Bevan Dufty further spiced the occasion’s festivities.
The “Ambassadors” described their generous love for and service to Maitri. Dianne (major donor), George (long-time board member/supporter), Sabrina (Nurse Team Leader/Senior LVN Team Leader), Kirsten (volunteer extraordinaire), and Matt (board member/local chef) interacted with numerous attendees, explaining their work with and for Maitri, and underscoring Maitri’s unique and crucial place in the community.
Chef/musician Joey Altman soared as live auctioneer, alternately charming and cajoling attendees into bidding on three “plum” items: a four-night stay anywhere in the world donated by Small Luxury Hotels and Resorts; a week-long stay at a Hawaiian vacation home donated by Daniel Killar and Andy Zimmerman; and another week-long stay at a Parisian apartment donated by Bill Wilson and Ed Smalle. The live auction, in its inaugural year at Bliss, raised a total of $6,600.
Complementing the live auction was a huge, diverse, and compelling silent auction featuring some 144 lots of myriad artworks, photographs, books, health and beauty items, entertainment packages, travel-related items, delectable foods and wines/spirits, jewelry, pet items, restaurant gift certificates, ceramics, and more. There was truly something for everyone and, not surprisingly, virtually everything sold. This silent auction raised in excess of $23,000, enabling the live/silent auctions total to surpass $30,000!
The “Beauty Room” was the fun, enormously popular, and highly fashionable place to be for hair treatments, massages, reike, make-up, and skincare treatments. Juanita More! and her Boys provided electric atmosphere and cool vibes as Elevations Salon did hair, Mindful Monkey & Healing Hands offered massages, Danielle Shapona supplied reike (therapeutic healing), Delia Munoz applied make-up, Healthful Skin and Body personnel performed massages, and Lori Anderson handled skincare.
Complete and final financial results are still pending, but it is clear that Bliss 2009 will easily surpass last year’s record of $125,000. Attendance was 30% higher than last year, and final revenues are expected to be in the $135,000 range. Congratulations and many thanks to all who shared in making Bliss 2009 a tremendous success!
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Bliss
2009 Photos |
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| (Photo Credit: Rink Foto) |
(Photo Credit: Rink Foto) |
(Photo Credit: Ron Henggeler) |
(Photo Credit: Ron Henggeler) |
| BLISS 2009 Ambasadors |
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| (Credit: Rink Photo) |
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| Maitri commemorated 22 years of providing
compassionate residential and hospice care for
people living with AIDS. The festivities took
place at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio
– San Francisco. |
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A mix of sunshine, celebration and eye candy guaranteed a fun time for Maitri participants at the San Francisco Pride Parade on June 28. Our 2009 parade entry was a vintage cable car decorated with colorful Tibetan prayer flags and beautiful new banners generously donated by Nancy Nipper (who also donated a 10-foot-long banner, proudly held by Maitri volunteers in front of the cable car). Transported were a true representation of Maitri’s family - residents, volunteers, staff and a stunning Margo Channing (the first person to guess who dressed up as Eve Harrington’s nemesis will get an official Maitri t-shirt – contact Grant at gsun@maitrisf.org ).
Since this year’s theme was To Form A More Perfect Union, many parade contingents were focused on recent events regarding same-sex marriages. However, Maitri chose to participate as a reminder that we continue to provide the best possible residential care for those living with AIDS. As Maitri’s contingent made its way up Market Street, we were moved by the audience’s joyful, appreciative and respectful response – a true sense of community. |
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