AHF Hosts Grand Opening of 1st Oakland “Out of the Closet”
By: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Oakland, CA - September 17, 2009
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will mark the opening of its newest “Out of the Closet"—the world’s most fabulous thrift store and the first location in the City of Oakland—with a grand opening event on-site at 238 East 18th Street (Near Lake Merritt) on Saturday, September 19th at 10:00 AM. This festive community open house will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, refreshments, entertainment and the chance for shoppers to be among the first to discover the unique finds and hidden treasures for which “Out of the Closet” is famous. Elected officials expected to attend include Patricia Kernighan, Councilmember, City of Oakland, District 2, Alice Lai-Bitker, President, Board of Supervisors, Alameda County, District 3 and Walter Cohen, Director, Community and Economic Development Agency, City of Oakland. Entertainment includes a 6-piece jazz band courtesy of the young musicians of the Oaktown Jazz Workshops. Doors open at 10:00 AM. (Store Hours: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM).
With eighteen locations throughout California—including five in the Bay Area—and one in South Florida, AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s popular and award-winning “Out of the Closet” thrift store chain is the nation’s largest retail fundraising vehicle for HIV/AIDS medical care. AHF serves its clients in Oakland through its AHF “Magic Johnson” Healthcare Center, its AIDS specialty pharmacy and through HIV testing and outreach services. AHF uses the proceeds from its “Out of the Closet” stores to help pay for this care. The new Oakland location will begin offering free HIV testing by the end of the year.
“AHF is pleased to be opening its newest ‘Out of the Closet’ thrift store in an historic part of the City of Oakland and to be a part of the revitalization of this thriving neighborhood,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “Ninety-six cents of every dollar earned through sales at ‘Out of the Closet’ benefit HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs in the Bay Area and around the world. At a time when funding for vital AIDS care is being cut, AHF is proud to be able to find ways to continue to fund and provide lifesaving services. We thank the people of Oakland for your support.”
In addition to its Oakland services, AHF also serves clients in the Bay Area through its “Magic Johnson” Healthcare Center and an AHF Pharmacy in San Francisco. AHF offers free, confidential HIV testing and outreach services at its Polk St. “Out of the Closet” location. Monies raised by the stores fund services for the local community, as well AHF’s free HIV/AIDS medical care services in countries all over the world. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 100,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide in the U.S., Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and the Asia Pacific Region.
“This newest ‘Out of the Closet’ is part of AHF’s continuing effort to serve the Bay Area by providing lifesaving HIV/AIDS services—including free HIV testing which will be available at the Oakland store by the end of the year,” Adam Ouderkirk, Bay Area Regional Director, AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “Whether by shopping at ‘Out of the Closet’ or by donating items to the store, the people of Oakland can be proud to know they are helping AHF to pursue its mission to provide cutting-edge medicine and advocacy regardless of a person’s ability to pay. We invite all to come out and visit the store, and to utilize the free HIV testing and outreach services that we will soon be offering to the community.”
“Out of the Closet” thrift stores are widely known for their unique look—an exterior painted bright pink and equally colorful window displays—as well as for high-quality, affordable goods.
“In these challenging economic times, we are especially pleased to offer an affordable alternative to high-priced boutiques and department stores,” said Jonathan Kreuyer, “Out of the Closet” General Manager of Retail Stores. “From furniture to clothing, kitchenware and appliances, ‘Out of the Closet’ is a top destination for anyone looking for good deals on quality merchandise and a way to make a difference in their community.”
Like all “Out of the Closet” stories, the Oakland location accepts donations of clothes and other smaller items at the store. A pick-up for larger items can be scheduled by calling (877) 2 PICK IT UP or by sending an e-mail to: 2pickitup@outofthecloset.org.
