Features

Care Resource’s Legendary White Party

November 17, 2011

Care Resource’s White Party, the oldest and largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser, will take place November 23th through the 28th this year. The event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit Care Resource, a non-profit AIDS organization.

The legendary party started in the mid-1980s. Care Resource was then known as the Health Crisis Network. Members of the new organization reached out to a local gay businessman, Frank Wager, for help in creating a fundraiser. The group desperately needed money to help those who were being affected by AIDS, which was a new disease back then. Wager agreed to help and along with 10 volunteers threw the first White Party.

At first, White Party was a one night event at Villa Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, a gorgeous 16th century Italian Renaissance-style villa surrounded by a beautiful sprawling outdoor area. From there it grew to a week-long event, with the largest party held at Vizcaya for the next 24 years. Last year was the final year at the lavish location due to increasing rental costs.

In 1998, Health Crisis Network combined with Community Research Initiative of South Florida to become Care Resource. The organization has been synonymous with White Party ever since.

Those who buy tickets to the events in this week-long party will be helping Care Resource offer their clients access to promising new drug therapies, in addition to the vast array of programs and services.

“It is an excellent opportunity to have a great time and to support our community and those infected and affected with HIV and AIDS,” said Wade Patterson, Director of Finance and Resource Development at Care Resource.

Patterson said that it’s wrong to think of White Party as a circuit party.

“It’s not a circuit party — it’s much more than that,” he said. “There will be socializing, dancing and people having a great time and supporting our community.”

Patterson said that there will be some exciting changes to this year’s White Party.

“We’re looking at it to be an evolution and to take us into the future of the event,” he said.

The biggest change is the venue of the main party –The White Party. It will be held at the Miami Seaquarium overlooking Biscayne Bay on Key Biscayne. In addition to the fabulous new location, the hours of the event will also be longer – from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Internationally renowned event producer, Mark Baker, will be delivering this brand new dance party concept which will have shows, a live performance featuring JES, internationally renowned deejays Joe Gauthreaux and Pagano, a fireworks spectacular by Fireworks Displays Unlimited, silent auction, live casino games and prizes at the Viva Las Divas Casino and more.

Patterson said that Care Resource also has a few surprises up their sleeve for the event, so you won’t want to miss it.

Another difference this year is the prices of the tickets.

“They are more reasonably priced,” Patterson said. We wanted to make it open to more people — it’s an attempt to broaden our appeal.”

For more information and to see the full list of events, visit WhiteParty.org