For the seventh year in a row, activist Ana Alicia Perez is telling her friends to ditch the birthday presents and instead make a donation to some of her favorite charities.
Over the years, Perez has invited the community to a party where she’s accepted donations for the San Antonio AIDS Foundation, the Children’s Hospital, Battered Women’s Shelter, Fiesta Youth, Stand Up for Kids, Thrive Youth Center, Pride Center SA, Mujeres Unidas and others.
This year’s fundraising party will be held at Big Bob’s Burgers on Hildebrand Ave. Perez says there will be food and “lots of beer.”
Perez is an activist and LGBT ally. She’s was among those who spoke before the City Council during the fight to pass the nondiscrimination ordinance. She is a member of the Human Rights Campaign and frequently campaigns for women’s rights.
“I don’t need or want anything,”she says. “So if we are going to gather around for a birthday party, let’s make it beneficial for folks who really need something.”
This year’s beneficiaries, PFLAG San Antonio and Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, each have different needs. Perez explains what she’d like guests to donate:
PFLAG San Antonio
“PFLAG is a group started by a loving mother who marched in support of her gay son, this group has hundreds of chapters nationwide that provide support and education to LGBT folks and the allies who love them, as well as education and training for safe schools. I love these people so much. Cash donations are welcome to support their mission in education and support for our LGBT friends in the community.”
Roy Maas Youth Alternatives
“Please assist these folks who are opening up a home for LGBT foster youth who may otherwise not have any other options. They need cash donations and also items on their wish list to include appliances, tables, chairs, rugs, lamps, pillows, blankets, kitchenware, towels, shower curtains, lamps, sheets, pillow cases, mattresses, comforter sets—anything you would put in a home for our foster youth who often come with nothing at all.”
Calling it her “little charity birthday party that could,” Perez jokes, “We’ll continue to have this every year until I am no longer on this planet.”
Ana’s Seventh Annual Charity Birthday Party Benefiting PFLAG SA and Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, March 4, 2017, from 5 to 11 p.m. at Big Bob’s Burgers, 447 Hildebrand Ave.
