2010 Octopus Club "Fun-Raising" Miracle

$145,166.25 in 2010!
(Ten parties raised from $374 to $57,465)

Hallelujahs and thank you to every Octopus Club member who had a hand in this continuing fountain of generosity for our neighbors living with all the challenges of HIV and AIDS.  Again in 2010, many arms reached out with loving support.

Thanks to every host and hostess, to every sponsor, to every organizer, leader, committee members and chairs, to every volunteer, and most of all thanks to every Octopus guest whose dollars make up the total.  Because of your generosity with your money, time, creativity, and effort, we have made sure that when a financial crisis looms for an Austinite with HIV orAIDS, when all other resources are exhausted, he or she will be able to turn to the Paul Kirby Fund at AIDS Services of Austin for a helping hand. 

In 2010 the Octopus Club funds provided:

• 445 people with FOOD
• 129 people with SECURITY DEPOSITS to move into an apartment or RENT money to avoid eviction
• 101 people with payments of past due water, electric, and gas bill so that their UTILITIES were not turned off
• 77 people with life-saving MEDICATIONS
• 70 people with EYE CARE or eye glasses

If you are new to the Octopus Club, you may not be aware that we are a 100% volunteer organization.  We have no expenses, no employees, and no overhead. 

AIDS Services of Austin administers and distributes our funds at no cost.  Since 1989, Octopus Club members like you have raised 

$1,562,610.40

Yes, that is over one and a half million dollars.  Because of you, our beneficiaries have been able to "remain optimistic even when their circumstances have seemed bleak. You have given them more than just food and medicine when they were in need, you have given them hope. You have truly created a miracle."

Herding the Octopi is no easy task.

Leadership keeps the Octopus Club rolling year after year. 

Kudos and Job-Well-Done High Fives
to our 2009/2010 Head Octopi: Mark Fisette and Dale Atkinson.  Thanks for your two years of dedicated leadership.

Thank Yous and Encouraging Words
to our 2010/2011 Head Octopi: Summer McKee and Mary Morrison who will be continuing in their exemplary leadership.

Welcome and Gratitude
to our incoming 2011/2012 Head Octopi: Marcus Sanchez and Layne Box who are just beginning their two-year term.  Thanks for stepping up.

Warm and special thanks to Mark Erwin
who this year completed his SIXTH year as Chair of OCTOTEA DANCE.  The first year he shared the Chair (which is something to see) with his inimitable, Outcast talk show host, partner Stephen Rice.  Mark is turning over the Chair duties to new Co-Chairs Mary Morrison and Mark Fisette for 2011.   We are so grateful for those six years of tireless service and for all the new folks you introduced to the Octopus Club.

Now Let’s Start on the 2011 Octo-Miracle

Actually, we already have.  Octopi have already thrown two successful events. The Kenny Blue and Bobby Cook Birthday Party at RAIN was a blast and turned in a bucket of contributions. And the first OCTOPUS CLUB SPOTLIGHT PARTY turned the spotlight on La Sombra Bar and Grill, Austin’s new Central and South American restaurant at 4800 Burnet Road where Cameron Lockley and crew generously hosted a packed happy hour party with styles by Estilo on 2nd Street and tequila cocktails from Republic Tequila. Warm welcome to the new Co-Chairs of the OCTOPUS CLUB SPOTLIGHT PARTIES, James Michael Dominguez and Leon Bartlett. Great job on this first one!

Upcoming Parties

February 9 - OCTOPUS CLUB SPOTLIGHT PARTY at SAKS Fifth Avenue at The Domain - cocktails, appetizers, and a raging SAKS style show with men's and women's fashions.

March 26 - ARTEROTICA 2011 at a new, exciting, soon-to-be-announced venue - erotic art auction and dance party. 

You Can Step Up the Rewards

The more involved you are, the more rewarding the experience of working with the Octopus Club.  With the budget cuts at every level and the increased challenge of fundraising in a recovering economy, the need for help - particularly with life-saving medications - will be very compelling in 2011.

You can have your own party - you choose the date, time, number of guests and suggested contribution. Or you can simply make a party you are already planning into an Octopus Club Fun-Raiser simply by putting out a donation jar and giving your guests the opportunity to help a neighbor in need.

You can get involved with one of the existing larger parties or the Spotlight Parties as a host, planning committee member, or volunteer.

You can help with support tasks by taking responsibilities that are ongoing like the Octopus Club website.

Octopus Club is Just Us

It is up to you and me to see that this miracle keeps happening every year until HIV and AIDS are gone from our community.

Many, many thanks to all,

Mary Morrison - mmorrison@germer-austin.com
Summer McKee - summermckee@gmail.com
Layne Box - laynebox@gmail.com
Marcus Sanchez - marcuscruzart@gmail.com
Lew Aldridge - laldridge@alori.net

Total Money Raised by Year