New York City Association of Hotel Concierges Team Raises Record Amount for AIDS Walk New York

Team exceeded last year’s total to raise more than $14,000 in support of GMHC and 40 other tri-state AIDS service organizations.

New York, NY (May 17th, 2016) – On Sunday, May 15th, the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges (NYCAHC), along with its corporate affiliate members, business associates, and friends, participated in the 31st annual AIDS Walk New York. This annual fundraiser is a 10k walk, starting and ending in Central Park, which benefits more than 40 Tri-State area AIDS service organizations. This year’s team members were able to raise a record total of more than $14,000.

NYCAHC has participated in AIDS Walk New York for 17 years. In 2016, the NYCAHC team surpassed both its goal and the previous year’s record-breaking $12,000 total. This year, a dedicated group of more than 30 walkers worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness of the important work of GMHC for our community.

In addition to the members who participated, NYCAHC was pleased to be joined by representatives from Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, TAB Maps, and Benoit Bistro, who walked with the team and raised funds for GMHC. Benoit also hosted a delicious post-walk brunch for the team, for the second year in a row.

Loida Diaz, President of the NYCAHC and Concierge at the Trump International Hotel and Tower said:

For 17 years, the NYCAHC has been extremely pleased to be part of this great endeavor and stride tirelessly to help end the AIDS epidemic in our community and beyond. As always, I’d like to sincerely thank our Public Relations Director, William Hawkins, who spearheaded this year’s initiative and fundraising effort. This dedicated group of more than 30 walkers from our membership and professional business affiliates worked very hard to raise funds and awareness of the important work GMHC provides for our community.

Mr. William Hawkins, NYCAHC AIDS Walk Team Captain, PR Director of NYCAHC and Concierge at Mandarin Oriental New York says:

Our phenomenal success this year was due to our walkers keeping in mind at all times that AIDS Walk New York is, first and foremost, a fundraiser designed to get people to reach out to their friends, family, and colleagues to support GMHC. We were pleased to see that three of our walkers were able to achieve “Star Walker” status, raising more than $1,000 each, and that many others qualified for fundraising awards. But equally importantly, the event is an opportunity for NYCAHC members to work together to support the larger community, and to have a day away from work to bond with their colleagues from other hotels and our vendor partners.

An estimated 30,000 people participated at Sunday’s fundraiser. Among the many notable names in attendance were Broadway stars Bebe Neuwirth, Nick Adams, and LaChanze, as well as Broadway and television actors Conrad Ricamora and Erich Bergen.

Donations will still be accepted for several more weeks. If you wish to donate to AIDS Walk New York, you may visit the NYCAHC team page at: https://ny.aidswalk.net/nycahc