PAGE 4 T Q-Notes T September 20,1997
Baseball fundraiser hits a homer with attendees
by David Stout
Special to Q-Notes
CHARLOTTE—In the weeks leading up
to “Gay Nite at Knights Casde,” some folks
complained that gays and lesbians had no busi
ness openly attending a game at the city’s “fam
ily-friendly” baseball park. They contacted
Charlotte Knights management and the media
in an effort to stop the event from proceeding.
On the night of the game, it was clear that they
had failed.
Despite — or because of — the controversy,
168 tickets were sold to the August 30 baseball
game against the visiting Richmond Braves.
And there was no evidence of hostility or pro
test to be found among the 11,000-plus fans at
the Castle. Gay attendees enjoyed a thrilling
Knights victory, campy musical performances
by The Blues Brothers and a fabulous fireworks
display right along with the rest of the crowd.
The evening was deemed a rousing success
for the fun and visibility it generated (the
scoreboard welcomed “Lesbian and Gay Fans”
twice during the game), but organizers were
most pleased by the amount raised for Char
lotte Pride Alliance, the beneficiary of “Gay
Nite.”
All proceeds from the event were earmarked
for Charlotte Pride Alliance, the city’s new po
litical advocacy group, and once the final num
bers had been tallied, Q_-Notes Publisher Jim
Yarbrough announced that $441 had been
raised from ticket sales and donations. He
cheerfully stated, “We’re thrilled to have raised
this much money for Charlotte Pride Alliance
while participating in America’s favorite pas
time and having lots of fun. We definitely ex
ceeded our goals for this first-time event.”
In post-event discussions, Q-Notes staffers
expressed overwhelmingly positive feedback
about community participation and the suc
cessful fundraising aspects of the gathering.
Tentative discussions have been held regarding
the possibility of organizing similar events. T
Carolina Celebration fundraiser readies for 98
by Brian D. Holcomb
Q-Notes Staff
CHARLOTTE—Each June, the Carolina
Celebration fundraiser is held to benefit the
Dennis Fund of the Metrolina AIDS Project.
Since 1991, over $130,000 has been raised for
the fund, which is dedicated to providing di
rect financial assistance to individuals who need
to purchase food, medication, or need help
meeting rent or transportation expenses. Be
cause of its specific mission, and the require
ment that 100 percent of the fund be distrib
uted to those in need — as opposed to paying
for overhead costs — the Dennis Fund has be
come a favorite cause for many individual and
corporate sponsors.
Recently, the Carolina Celebration Board
held a party to thank sponsors of the 1997 event
and to begin the campaign for June of 1998.
Erin Sullivan, president of the 1997 Board, gra
ciously opened her home to the sponsors and
hosted a party that was intended to hand out
much deserved thanks and to energize the new
Board for the year to come. The 1998 Board,
including President Robert Carta, were ap
proved and installed and the sponsorship drive
was formally begun.
The Dennis Fund was established in 1991
by Jerry and Honey Thaw, parents of Dennis
Thaw. Dennis was a client of MAP and a be
loved son and community member. Honey
Thaw attended the party to thank all of the
sponsors and to share loving memories of her
son. She reminded the crowd that the first Caro
lina Celebration raised only $11,000, an
amount that has been tripled by this year’s
$32,000 total. She told the sponsors, “I know
my son is jumping for joy. I’m thankful.” Al
though her husband Jerry passed away this year,
he was instrumental in establishing the fund,
and Mrs. Thaw continued to speak for him,
“We thank you every day. It’s what Dennis
would have wanted. He was very specific about
how he wanted [the fund] set up.”
Were the Carolina Celebration sponsors a
different group of people, the evening may have
focused upon achievements. This group made
no effort to disguise the fact that they are well
under way for the next event, which they hope
will once again be a record-setting year. Spon
sorships are available for both individuals and
corporations and the momentum is already
building. Mrs. Thaw herself was indicative of
the nature of the group. She could have held
court and presided over the evening. Instead,
this loving woman greeted all who came to
speak to her. She would share stories of Den
nis, but was much more interested in hearing
about the lives of those at the party, who were
instantly new friends. Most importandy, she
spoke of the work to be done and the good
that can come from her sons life.
The 1998 Carolina Celebration will be held
on June 13 at the Grady Cole Center, Char
lotte. For information on how to become a
sponsor, or to be involved with the Dennis
Fund, call MAP at (704) 333-1435 or write
Carolina Celebration, PO Box 22071, Char
lotte, NC 28222. ▼
Come Have a "Gay Ole Time" in Historic
South End at
win Prizes at Our
Karaoke Contest
on the Last
Thursday of Every
Month!
Come
Enjoy Our Buffet on
the Last Saturday
of Every Monthll
Pool Tournaments
Every Sunday
VVednesday!
-Sunday @ s-qq
'Wednesday @ 9;oo
Play "Wheel-of-Specials” at Our
Panther Parties!
Special Hours on Game Days:
Check at the Door for Detailsl
fxz>i-
Opeo 7 Dogs o week
5:00 pro -1:00 oro
(IW) J76-1617.
"Thonl/c frw ^
LIQISOOS
1 nanKs lor i
our oupport
)K> Reosseloer Due.
(borlotte 0( ^8^0)