Philly Aids Thrift Hosts 15th Anniversary Drive-in Movie Night At Navy Yard

Philly AIDS Thrift in collaboration with Philadelphia Film Society presents a special Halloween-themed, family-friendly, socially distanced night at the movies! Philly AIDS Thrift 15th Anniversary Drive-In Movie Night featuring Tim Burton's Beetlejuice will take place at Philadelphia Navy Yard on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, with doors opening at 6:00pm and showtime at 7:00pm. The Halloween classic is the perfect choice for the non-profit organization that has become known as one of the largest retail stores for costumes, accessories and decoration during spooky season each and every year. In addition to the Drive-In Movie Night, Philly AIDS Thrift will host their biggest sale of the year from Thursday, October 8th to Sunday, October 11th. Look for a different sale running each day, plus complimentary cake while supplies last each day. Tickets for the Drive-In Movie Night are $30 per car and are available on the PFS website at http://filmadelphia.org/events/philly-aids-thrift-beetlejuice/ For more about Philly AIDS Thrift and their anniversary sale, visit http://phillyaidsthrift.com/

"We are so excited to be able to find a way to celebrate with our supporters, fans and shoppers around the city," said Philly AIDS Thrift Co-Founder Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou. "Fifteen years in business and raising millions of dollars is a major milestone that I am thankful every day to be a part of - we've built relationships over those 15 years with shoppers, donors, volunteers and service providing organizations. I am so proud of all we have accomplished together - and specifically am so proud of our staff and all the volunteers that keep supporting us! We look forward to the next 15 years of being committed to both supporting local HIV organizations and to serve the community by selling interesting, eclectic and affordable items!"

Prior to COVID 19 and the mandatory shut-down, Philly AIDS Thrift had awarded $298,750 to 26 location grant organizations. The organization was also heading toward a major fundraising and grant-giving milestone.

Since the shut-down, the retail operation has reopened for business with many new changes to adapt to the "new" normal. One of those changes was a new anniversary event to replace the huge fall block party. Other changes include health and safety protocols in the two PAT stores, including limited custom occupancy, changes to the volunteer program, and new donation days on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (Noon to 6:00pm). The organization has also created a new donation receiving entrance 50 feet to the left of the main entrance - to keep all areas socially distanced and less congested. Other protocols include staff temperature checks daily, requiring all staff and costumers to wear masks inside the store, the availability of hand sanitizer in the store, and the closing of dressing rooms for the current time. Current hours for the store are Monday to Saturday, from 11:00am to 7:00pm, and Sunday 11:00am to 6:00pm.

DRIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHT WITH BEETLEJUICE

Philly AIDS Thrift 15th Anniversary Drive-In Movie Night featuring Tim Burton's Beetlejuice will take place at Philadelphia Navy Yard on Wednesday, October 14, 2020. Tickets are $30 per car with each car enjoying admission to the movie plus a free bag of tricks and treats. Attendees can feel free to bring their own dinner - or enjoy food from a selection of local food trucks on site. (Food trucks are being confirmed, with a list to be released prior to the event.)

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, BEETLEJUICE! Say his name and he will appear! Look for the legend to welcome guests and help Philly AIDS Thrift pay tribute to this exciting milestone!

"We were pretty discouraged and disheartened to know our annual anniversary block party couldn't take place," said Kallas-Saritsoglou. "We challenged ourselves to make the most of the situation and get out of the box to create something new, wonderful and fun - but safe of course too. I attended one of the first pop-up Drive-In Socials at the Navy Yard earlier this year and thought it was fun, fantastic, vintage and safe - and the wheels started turning. We hope everyone can join us for this truly special night."

Tickets for this event must be purchased in advance at the PFS website. No box office sales will be conducted on the site at the event. The drive-in will open one hour before listed showtimes. Beetlejuice will run for approximately 92 minutes. Films begin officially at sundown. All cars should come with a confirmation email on their phone, or a printed ticket for check-in.

Philly AIDS Thrift and the PFS Drive-In will strictly adhere to local and state approved safety guidelines for drive-ins. All attendees and employees must wear a mask when not seated inside their vehicle. All attendees must maintain at least a 6ft distance between others. No one is to leave the immediate area of their vehicle except when going to the restroom. Obey postings at the restroom entrances. Capacity limits must be adhered to.

Additionally: No Pets or Animals of any kind are permitted on site, except certified service animals. One vehicle per parking space. Absolutely no grilling, cooking, or open flames. Speed limit is 5 mph. Attendees must be able to turn off all lights including, but not limited to, automatic headlights, dome lights inside the car, LED screens on the dashboard, etc. and be sure to keep feet off of the brake pedal. Engines are not permitted to run A/C. If attendees use their vehicle’s radio, please leave the ignition in the “accessories” position. Attendees may not sit on their roof. Management reserves the right to remove attendees from the premises who do not abide by these rules.

BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR!

As part of its anniversary celebration, Philly AIDS Thrift hosts their biggest sale of the year every fall. This year's four day sale will include big savings, plus free birthday cake all weekend long.

Thursday, October 8th
EVERYTHING $10 or less is 25% OFF!

Friday, October 9th
Everything $10 to $20 is 25% OFF!

Saturday, October 10th
Everything $20 to $100 is 25% OFF!

Sunday, October 11th
Everything over $100 is 25% OFF!

HELPING HIV/AIDS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Last year, Philly AIDS Thrift had award nearly $300,000 to 26 different organizations, including:

Access Matters
ACT UP Philadelphia
Action Wellness (formerly ActionAIDS)
AIDS Delaware
AIDS Fund
AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania
AIM Angels In Motion
Atttic Youth Center
Bebashi Transition to Hope
Calcutta House -
Camp Dreamcatcher
CATA - Comite de Apoyo a los Trabajadores Agricolas
COLOURS Organization
Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc.
Drexel University / Camp Bright Feathers
Family Service of Chester County
Family Service of Montgomery County
Family Services of Chester County
GALAEI - UAC
LGBT Elder Initiative
MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance)
Mazzoni Center
Neighborhood United Against Drugs
One Day At A Time/Urban Affairs Coalition
Philly Black Pride
Planned Parenthood Keystone
Prevention Point Philadelphia
RHD Morris Home
Safehouse
Siloam Wellness
William Way LGBT Community Center

In 2020, Philly AIDS Thrift has its sights set on a huge fundraising number which will be revealed as part of the anniversary celebration. For the next round of grants, look for the cycle to be announced and open in November, and close at the end of January. Funding will be awarded in February of 2020.

"The movie night and retail shopping sales are so important to our fundraising," said Board President Micharl Byrne. "We are working hard to support organizations that need us - and organizations that are also serving those with HIV/ AIDS during the global pandemic. We hope you can support our work and join us - and watch for news on our next grant cycle out by November. We are hoping for the best and working out our dollar total. Thanks for supporting us for 15 years - and here's to the next 15!"  

ABOUT PHILLY AIDS THRIFT

Philly AIDS Thrift is a 501(c)(3) non-profit thrift store benefiting HIV /AIDS service organizations.  It first opened a small shop on Bainbridge Street in the fall of 2005, it expanded to additional warehouse space in 2007.  In 2011 all of its operations moved under one bigger and better roof at 710 S. 5th Street.  In the fall of 2014 it added a second location when it took over the historic LGBT bookstore Giovanni's Room at 12th and Pine, which it now operates as Philly AIDS Thrift @Giovanni's Room.

The store is run with support from amazing volunteers and is successful with donations from the public for thrift items to sell and the shoppers that buy those items. PAT’s main beneficiary is the AIDS Fund. The AIDS Fund distributes money to twenty-nine AIDS agencies in the five county Philadelphia region. They pass on the money we give them every month with NO administrative costs taken out. They also organize the Philadelphia AIDS Walk every October and the monthly Gay Bingo fundraiser throughout the year.

In addition to our cash contributions, Philly AIDS Thrift provides free store vouchers to Philly area HIV/AIDS service providers for distribution to clients in need of clothing assistance and household necessities.

According to the City of Philadelphia AIDS Activities Coordinating Office, Philadelphia is the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Pennsylvania. More than 30,000 Philadelphia residents are living with the virus that causes AIDS. Many people do not know their status and have never tested.

LOCATIONS

Philly AIDS Thrift
710 S. 5th Street
Phila, Pa.19147
215.922.3186
www.phillyaidsthrift.com

PhillyAIDSThrift@Giovanni's Room
345 S. 12th St
Phila, Pa 19107
215.923.2960
www.giovannisroom.com