Sustenance Group Commemorates World AIDS Day

ONE’s Nancy Bauer and Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall at STK Atlanta for the Belvedere (RED) Party on World AIDS Day.

When I heard Bono on YouTube describing (RED)’s partnership with Belvedere Vodka as being “innovative,” I admit I was a bit skeptical. What would make a limited-edition bottle of alcohol with a picture of the White House on it any more innovative than any of the dozens of other cleverly-designed and highly successful (RED) products that have raised money for the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa since 2006? After canvassing the crowd at the Belvedere (RED) party on World AIDS Day at the brand-new STK Atlanta, I now know the answer to that question.

While it takes a certain consumer to purchase a (RED) Bugaboo stroller or a (RED) iPod, everyone likes to have a good time, and Belvedere (RED) is a product that further bridges the gap between average consumers and the socially-conscious set.

As ONE’s congressional district leader Nancy Bauer and I made our way around STK, conversing with nearly 300 people about HIV/AIDS statistics and watching folks snap QR codes to make patches for the 2015Quilt, we were astonished to learn that a great portion of the crowd didn’t know much about (RED), ONE, or World AIDS Day, but they all knew Belvedere Vodka. Explaining how (RED) products save lives and how easy it is to join ONE, join (RED), and make a difference may have convinced a few people to learn more about using their voices to affect change – and that made the party even more fun. Spotted: CNN’s TJ Holmes, Actor Iron E. Singleton, Atlanta Falcon Tony Gonzalez, Collective Soul’s Dean Roland and more.

Collective Soul’s Dean Roland and The Blind Side’s Iron E. Singleton at STK Atlanta for the Belvedere (RED) Party on World AIDS Day. Photo by Ben Rose. http://www.BenRosePhotography.com

Belvedere (RED) may be partying in a city near you. Check out the interactive map on Facebook to find out more.  And if you haven’t made your 2015Quilt patch yet, please do so now: http://www.2015quilt.com/

Photo by Ben Rose http://www.BenRosePhotography.com