AIDS-Related Community Services (ARCS) announced today that it will honor the M•A•C AIDS Fund, the philanthropic arm of M•A•C Cosmetics, along with Hudson Valley restaurateurs Patrick McKenna and Jim Svetz for their consistent support for local residents with HIV/AIDS at its upcoming “Harvest of Hope” gala on November 5, 2011.
A committee of ARCS volunteers selected the M•A•C AIDS Fund as a recipient of the “Hearts for ARCS” Award due to the Fund’s long-standing history of grants to support nutrition programs for HIV-positive clients and prevention education for those at high risk of new HIV infections. Since 2004, ARCS has received more than $67,000 from M•A•C. 100% of sales of the company’s VIVA GLAM products benefit HIV/AIDS service organizations, and M•A•C encourages its employees to volunteer with agencies on World AIDS Day. “We’re doubly excited to hand out this award because of our ongoing relationship with local M•A•C counters in our region, in White Plains and Poughkeepsie,” said ARCS Board Secretary Audrey Rabinowitz. “Their employees gave our clients makeovers through their M•A•C Good Spirits program throughout the year, which made these women very happy. They felt empowered and strong just by having someone pamper them for an afternoon. We are honored to present an award to M•A•C for all they have done for ARCS’ clients.”
A second Hearts for ARCS award will go to two local businessmen, Patrick McKenna and Jim Svetz. The pair owns two restaurants in the Mid-Hudson region: Cafeteria in New Paltz, and Chill Wine Bar in Beacon. “Jim and Patrick have been loyal donors and corporate partners for the past three years,” said Jeff Kraus, ARCS’ Executive Director. “They were among the first to sign up for our Dining Out for Life event and have been involved in every fundraiser we’ve held since 2009.” Both men serve on volunteer committees for ARCS. “They are a true example of successful business owners who give back to their community,” Kraus concluded. Chill Wine Bar will also host ARCS’ Volunteer Appreciation Holiday Party on December 8th.
The Hearts for ARCS Awards will be handed out at the Harvest of Hope Charity Ball on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at Whitby Castle in Rye, NY. The event includes a gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions, entertainment and dancing. Tickets to the formal gala are $150 per person and are available at www.arcs.org/charityball.php. Previous recipients of the Hearts for ARCS Awards include the Keith Haring Foundation, NYS Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Bedford Hills businesswoman Marcy Furman.
For more information on the Harvest of Hope Charity Ball, call (914) 785-8283 or visit www.arcs.org.