AIDS awareness gala presents third annual charity art auction

A traditional Kenyan dinner, guest speaker, African drumming and a silent art auction will all be present at the third annual Gala for Change to be held this Saturday.

Face AIDS and Men of Action and Change will host the gala in the Interfaith Center from 6 to 8 p.m. All of the proceeds will be donated to the National Face Aids Money in Health organization.

Cathy and Sam Spoto will be this year's guest speakers. The Spotos are the founders of the Rochester Ogoja Partnership, an organization which addresses health and education needs in Africa. The speakers will also introduce an African drummer to play during the dinner. A new element to the Gala will be the addition of a traditional Kenyan dessert.

"The art this year is amazing," added junior Kendall Shultes of Face AIDS. "I was surprised with the quality of work we received this year. There was a lot of work put forward towards getting the art this year, and I'm pleased with the result." The art this year includes painting, photography, prints, and sculptures.

In their first year the event raised approximately $1,300 and last year they raised approximately $1,700.

"We are hoping to surpass what we made last year, having a bigger and better event each year," said sophomore Andrew Demosthenous of MAC.

The gala's exponential growth has transformed it into the largest event for Face AIDS and MAC, who have collaborated since the spring of 2007.

Tickets, $15 for students and $25 for the general public, can be bought at the door before the event. Guests are encouraged but not required to bid on the art.