Kids For Kids Family Carnival Raises $1.5 Million, Mobilizes Supporters to Create a Generation Free of HIV
10/27/2009
A carnival guest in face paint hangs by the wall of clocks. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for EGPAF) |
“Join the Moment” was the motto at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s Kids For Kids Family Carnival, held October 24 at Industria Superstudio in New York City. The carnival, held indoors on a rainy Saturday, attracted 1,000 damp but happy guests and raised nearly $1.5 million to help eradicate pediatric HIV and AIDS.
“It is because of this event — the people who support this event — that we can really make a difference and create a generation free of HIV,” said Foundation President and CEO Pam Barnes.
This 16th annual New York Carnival was part of the Foundation’s 20th-anniversary celebration, which kicked off last spring and runs through early 2010.
As carnival attendees entered the studio and headed to the second floor, they encountered a wall of clocks — representing the Foundation’s call to
Join the Moment and create a generation free of HIV. By attending the carnival, each guest did exactly that.
Art always plays a role at Kids For Kids, and this year there was a room filled with floor-to-ceiling canvases for painting. Some of New York’s hottest artists, including Will Cotton and Ippolita, helped kids of all ages to create their own masterpieces. By the end of the afternoon, the canvases were full of colorful images, including a red AIDS ribbon with “HOPE” painted across it.
Foundation Ambassador Joey DiPaolo makes his mark in the Kids For Kids painting room. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for EGPAF) |
In the main activity room, Rick Pipino’s crew of stylists gave glittery makeovers to those seeking a new look. The PEOPLE magazine photo booth churned out personalized magazine covers. Kids and adults took turns playing video games at the Sony Cierge Zone.
High-tech games weren’t the only form of competition available; the ping-pong table was packed all day. Former NFL star Howard Cross towered above the other competitors, engaging in several spirited matches. Emily Osment of
Hannah Montana, Matthew Settle of
Gossip Girl, and Lonny Ross of
30 Rock also held their own.
Howard Cross displays his athletic prowess at the ping pong table. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for EGPAF) |
Gilbert Gottfried has fun with the socks at LittleMissMatched. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for EGPAF) |
Those who prefer creative pursuits could design a Join the Moment T-shirt, decorate cookies at Kidville, or personalize a lunch bag at the Skip Hop Decoration Station. Comedian Gilbert Gottfried and actress Margaret Colin, also of
Gossip Girl, created sock puppets courtesy of LittleMissMatched. Scary face-painting was popular among guests seeking to get into the Halloween spirit a little early.
The focus of the room was the Generation Free Mommy and Baby Kit Area, where participants filled bags with rubber gloves, soap, baby clothing, and other supplies for women giving birth in Foundation-supported countries in Africa. The area was decorated with stunning photos by photographer and Foundation Celebrity Ambassador Nigel Barker, who recently filmed
a documentary in Tanzania about the Foundation’s programs. Nigel, along with
Gossip Girl’s Connor Paolo and other celebrities, helped guests assemble kits and write inspirational notes to the families receiving these much-needed supplies.
Nigel Barker helps a family assemble a Mommy & Baby Kit. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for EGPAF) |
Connor Paolo writes a note to go into his Mommy & Baby Kit. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for EGPAF) |
The downstairs portion of the carnival was a bit more relaxed. The main attraction was the Disney Reading Room, where celebrities and Disney characters — including Nigel Barker, Emily Osment, ABC News’ Elizabeth Vargas, and Alice from
Alice in Wonderland — read stories to kids and parents reclined on huge, comfy pillows. Film enthusiasts congregated next door and watched Nigel’s documentary,
Generation Free.
Emily Osment reads to rapt fans in the Disney Reading Room. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for EGPAF) |
And of course there was Restaurant Row — a hallway filled with the best food New York City has to offer. Every craving could be indulged, including burgers, pizza, sushi, lasagna, baked goods — even frozen hot chocolate.
Jake Glaser has a moment of fun in front of the Join the Moment logo. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for EGPAF) |
Several special guests attended the carnival, including Elizabeth Glaser’s son Jake Glaser, Foundation co-founder Susan DeLaurentis, and several
Foundation Family Ambassadors. Susan, who helped plan the first Kids For Kids event in 1993, commented on how far the Foundation has come — growing from three mothers around a kitchen table 20 years ago to one of the world’s largest providers of services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
“This is way beyond our wildest dreams,” said Susan, who started the Foundation in 1988 with Elizabeth Glaser and Susie Zeegen. “I’m so proud and humbled by what has happened with the organization. It’s really exciting.”
View highlights from the 2009 Kids for Kids Family Carnival.