Car Stringh

I was sad to see that Fashion Cares continues to be put on hold and may not happen in 2010. We will have to wait until this fall to hear more about their plans and continue to support their other fundraising activities. Until then Fashion Cares/ACT has sent me the following information.

"Fashion Cares, last held November 1, 2008, was a resounding success - both critically and in its goal of raising much-needed funds for the programs and services of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT). After the last Fashion Cares, ACT decided to place the event on hold and undertake a longer planning period, given the economic downturn. Early in 2010, ACT began its strategic planning process in order to identify agency-wide directions for the upcoming five years. The new strategic plan will be launched in fall 2010.

"Strategic planning is an opportunity for ACT to engage with its stakeholders and examine all of the work that we do - including our fundraising" says Hazelle Palmer, Executive Director of ACT. "The new Strategic Plan will have implications for the ways in which we deliver programs and services for those living with and at risk of HIV infection, and will also include new ideas and directions for fundraising."

With strategic planning underway, it makes sense to continue to hold off on decisions regarding the next Fashion Cares until the new Strategic Plan is unveiled. Meanwhile, ACT will be continuing to hold its other major fundraising events - the annual Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life Toronto to be held Sunday September 19 2010, and SNAP!, a photographic art auction to held early spring 2011.

More information about the future of Fashion Cares will become available later in the year.

Check out the AIDS Committee of Toronto's Other Events

SNAP! - www.snap-toronto.com

Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life - www.aidswalkforlifetoronto.ca"