The Event: More than 1,100 flappers and dandies converged on Union Station’s great hall on Dec. 3 with all the gusto of the roaring ’20s for the 14th annual World of Chocolate bacchanalia hosted by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Some 25 of the city’s finest restaurateurs, chocolatiers and pastry chefs unleashed their inner chocoholics to offer one-of-a-kind creations for layman and celebrity judging.
Held each year in honor of World AIDS Day, funds raised through World of Chocolate support AFC’s work to end new HIV infections in Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
Proceeds from the event will provide yearly testing for more than 5,000 individuals, support efforts to house 1,100 Chicagoans who are homeless, enable more than 5,300 clients to receive case management services and fund training for hundreds of medical professionals about PrEP, the pill that now prevents HIV.
Cause Célebre: “We just got news from the City of Chicago that HIV cases have dropped below 1000 for the first time since 1990,” said John Peller of Chicago, president/CEO excitedly. Previously, the numbers have ranged in the 1800s for new cases annually. “For us to see a drop below 1000 shows that…the work of the community agencies and the collaboration and coordination that we do is working.”
AFC functions as a central point funding smaller area organizations actively reaching out and encouraging testing, providing housing and advocacy work.
In short, said Jill Allread of Oak Park, event co-chairman: “The kinds of programs that we need if we’re ever really going to get ahead of the AIDS epidemic.”
“So while tonight is raising money for a serious issue,” said Allread, “It’s a fun and festive way to kick off the holiday season.”
Bottom Line: WOC raised $120,000 in support of people living with HIV. More at aidschicago.org
