Event Review

NO/AIDS Task Force Turns the Big 3-0!

By Tony Leggio
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Thirty years ago, the NO/AIDS Task Force began humbly in the Crescent City at the height of the AIDS crises; and since then the dedicated men and women on their team have given hope, dignity, courage and even life to those people afflicted with HIV and AIDS.  On February 7, 2014,  a sold-out audience celebrated their achievements and learned about what is next on their horizon during their soiree at Westin Hotel located adjacent to Canal Place.

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Bryan Batt emceed the evening’s festivities which included a three course meal, a slide show of the last thirty years of events and gracious toasts.

Since this is such a momentous occasion for an important group in our community, here is a brief synopsis of the agency’s history.  NO/AIDS Task Force is the oldest HIV/AIDS service organization in the Gulf South, founded in 1983 in response to the early devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic in the New Orleans area. Each year as the disease took its toll on our community, the organization grew by offering an AIDS Information Center and Hotline in 1985. In the following years, the agency expanded its services, responding to the various communities impacted by the epidemic as it continued to affect diverse populations. Case management and mental health services were added in 1990. A meal delivery program was added in 1992 and a community mobilization project with offices in the French Quarter/Marigny was added in 2000. Services were expanded to the Houma/Thibodeaux area in 2001.  And in 2013, the organization opened its state-of-the-art food kitchen to service Food For Friends clients.

But the evening was all about the observance of this respected organization and its staff.  The night started with a reception followed by a three course meal with a presentation.  The Gay Men’s Chorus serenaded guests as they entered the ballroom.  Bryan kept things lively and fun as the party progressed ending with everyone kicking up their heels and dancing the night away.  For more information on the NO/AIDS Task Force, go to www.noaidstaskforce.org.

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Tony Leggio

Tony Leggio

Tony Leggio is a born and raised New Orleanian. He has over 20 years of event management experience having produced over 5,000 events locally and nationally. Tony has received numerous awards for his outstanding achievements in the hospitality industry. Besides his professional career, Anthony has played an active role in the community.He has served Event Chair of Art Against AIDS for the No/Aids Task Force for the past ten years and was honored as Humanitarian of the Year in 2010 by the organization. He is also a freelance writer who has written for USA Today, as well as several local publications.He also writes a column regularly In Ambush Magazine, plus is part of Gambit’s Big Easy Theatre Committee.Tony is a social butterfly of New Orleans that not only knows how to put on a great event but also knows how to enjoy one.
Tony Leggio

Latest posts by Tony Leggio (see all)

Tony Leggio

Tony Leggio is a born and raised New Orleanian. He has over 20 years of event management experience having produced over 5,000 events locally and nationally. Tony has received numerous awards for his outstanding achievements in the hospitality industry. Besides his professional career, Anthony has played an active role in the community. He has served Event Chair of Art Against AIDS for the No/Aids Task Force for the past ten years and was honored as Humanitarian of the Year in 2010 by the organization. He is also a freelance writer who has written for USA Today, as well as several local publications. He also writes a column regularly In Ambush Magazine, plus is part of Gambit’s Big Easy Theatre Committee. Tony is a social butterfly of New Orleans that not only knows how to put on a great event but also knows how to enjoy one.

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