For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Justin Burke - 213.201.1525

EMAIL:jburke@apla.org

AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES BRINGS HOLIDAY CHEER
with KidzKorner 2002 HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE

Los Angeles, Nov. 20, 2002 — AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) kicks off the KidzKorner 2002 Holiday Toy Drive to help bring the spirit of the holidays to children and families affected and living with HIV/AIDS. APLA will collect toys beginning November 17 through December 10 at four Los Angeles area locations and will distribute the toys to families in December. Last year, more than 2,000 toys were distributed to 400 APLA clients and their families.

“It is important to APLA to help make the holidays special for children affected by HIV/AIDS and also the Toy Drive helps relieve their parents of the financial and emotional strain of providing gifts during such a busy and emotionally charged time of year,” said Lorette Herman, APLA Director of Community Services. “We are optimistic the community will once again demonstrate their generosity by providing toys to brighten young lives this holiday season." APLA staff developed the annual Toy Drive and volunteered their time to help bring children joy during the holiday season.

The toys should be new and unwrapped for girls and boys up to the age of 14. Items can be dropped off at the following APLA locations and should be clearly marked with the donor’s contact information to receive a tax deductible receipt:
· The Geffen Center, 611 S. Kingsley Dr.
· Administration offices, 3550 Wilshire Blvd., #300
· APLA West, 639 Fairfax Ave.
· APLA Dental Clinic, 1127 Wilshire Blvd., #1504

AIDS Project Los Angeles, which this year marks 20 years of prevention, advocacy and service, provides direct services to more than 10,000 men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS in Los Angeles County. Services include prevention education, food banks, professional dental care, housing assistance, mental health counseling and case management. APLA is a leader in the provision of bilingual HIV treatment information, in print and on the Internet, and advocates for effective AIDS-related policies and legislation on the local, state and federal level. For more information, please visit www.apla.org.

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