The AIDS Legal Council of Chicago ( ALCC ) hosted its annual summer benefit at Boystown club Sidetrack Aug. 12. According to ALCC Director of Development Kevin Mork, 320 people registered for it.
The benefit's theme was "Tiki Holiday: Escape to a Polynesian Paradise," and the guests were adorned with leis, accordingly. Cocktails, provided by Sidetrack, were tropical flavored, and there was a performance by two members of Barefoot Hawaiian, who taught and presented various hula and Polynesian dances.
In addition, the night included food by Three Dots and a Dash, services by Revive Massage, a grand raffle and a silent auction.
The funds ALCC raised will help it continue to preserve, promote and protect the legal rights of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. Currently, the agency has a staff of 21 that's in charge of helping more than 1,800 clients, according to Mork.
Mork said he was very appreciative of all the support the ALCC received at the benefit, as was Tom Yates, the organization's executive director.
"I love the kind of affirmation of the work we do," Yates told Windy City Times. "I'm just so thankful that the community has shown up tonight to help us support our work and help us move forward to keep doing what we do, and to do it better."