AIDS Services Foundation Orange County (ASF) was surprised last week with a $50,000 gift from the William and Sue Gross Family Foundation. The gift will be used to increase ASF’s ability to reach at-risk populations in Orange County with HIV testing.
In June of this year, ASF launched an HIV testing campaign entitled “Take the Initiative. Take the Test.” As the initial tactic in fulfilling the agency’s vision of “the end of AIDS in Orange County,” the campaign includes outreach to and testing in targeted communities at risk for contracting the virus. The goal of the campaign is $100,000.
“Bill and I are very proud to support ASF as they work toward ending both the spread of HIV and the incidence of AIDS in our community,” said Sue Gross, President of the family’s foundation. “As we’ve seen in our efforts in other parts of the world, the sooner you become aware, the greater the likelihood of successful treatment and a better life. We believe this program will make an impact on Orange County.”
The “Take the Initiative. Take the Test” fund raising campaign is scheduled to conclude with the agency’s “Annual Gala — A Night in South Beach” on Sept. 29 at Stage 17 at Disney California Adventure. With the inclusion of the Grosses’ gift, to date the agency has raised more than $76,000. The final $24,000 is expected to be raised at the event, through a formal appeal letter sent to agency donors, through a Facebook appeal and from concerned individuals.
Donations are accepted online at ocasf.org, by mail at 17982 Sky Park Circle, Ste J, Irvine, CA 92614,or by calling the agency at 949-809-5700. Tickets for ASF’s Annual Gala can be purchased online at ocasf.org/annual-gala.html.
