Other Fundraising Efforts
From its earliest days, ARCW organized special events to provide individuals with opportunities to make donations in support of HIV prevention, care and treatment programs in Wisconsin. These special events also gave donors an opportunity to gather in solidarity and share their commitment to the fight against AIDS.
Three hundred people attended the first annual Make A Promise Gala in 1987. The first AIDS Walk Wisconsin was held in 1990 and Jolly Holly Folly followed in 1995. Today, these three events draw thousands of donors. Other ARCW-produced events have included: MAPFest, Art for AIDS, Ramblin’ River Boat Cruise, Harvest of Hope Dinner Gala, Danc’n for AIDS, Rollin’ on AIDS, and Have a Heart Dinner Gala.
ARCW also benefits from fundraisers organized by individuals and other organizations. Steve Steinhauer organized the first annual Lavender Hill Garden Party fundraiser in 1985. Other fundraisers have included fashion shows, comedy performances, music festivals, motorcycle washes, beauty pageants, bowling tournaments, dances, and theater performances. Throughout the AIDS epidemic, gay bars have held hundreds of fundraisers to support ARCW services. These community-based AIDS fundraisers reflect the strong commitment by concerned and caring people throughout Wisconsin to fight back against the AIDS epidemic.