Share: Recessionary penny-pinching is taking a toll on city charity events, including a now-cancelled prominent gala supporting AIDS victims.
The annual Calgary Cares gala, which has raised money for AIDS Calgary has fallen victim to hard times which saw a 50-70% drop in interest this year, say organizers. It’s likely the 14-year-old tradition held in late March will never be revived, said Amanda Chapman, spokeswoman for AIDS Calgary. “It was kind of the ‘it’ event in Calgary for a number of years,” said Chapman. That reluctance to purchase the $150 tickets means the high overhead of putting on such a complex event is too great a money-losing risk, said Chapman. “You can be sure we’re not the only ones.”
The agency will now seek to make up the money through donations, at a time when the need for its services is greater than ever because of the economic downturn, said Chapman.