For the eighth year in a row, activist Ana Alicia Perez is telling her friends to forget the birthday presents and instead make a donation to some of her favorite charities.
Over the years, Perez has invited her friends to a birthday 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, PFLAG San Antonio, Roy Maas Youth Alternatives and others.
This year’s party will be held on March 3 at Big Bob’s Burgers.
“Each year y’all have supported and made this ‘the little charity birthday party that could’ and have helped some local nonprofits in the process!” Perez writes in the invitation to this year’s event.
Perez is an activist and LGBT ally. She is on the board of directors for Fiesta Youth where she serves as parent night facilitator. She also is on the HRC San Antonio steering committee, a member of PFLAG, the National Organization of Women, and the Council of Political Education for the Texas State Employees Union.
This year’s beneficiaries, San Antonio Threads and Fiesta Youth’s Rainbow Prom, each have different needs. Perez explains what she’d like guests to donate:
San Antonio Threads
This non-profit provides brand new clothes to foster kids who often lose items when they move from foster homes and shelters; this is one less thing they have to worry about. Cash donations and new clothes accepted.
Fiesta Youth’s Rainbow Prom
This non-profit, which benefits LGBTQ teens, has a prom where kids can be accepted and be themselves! Cash donations are welcome.
“In lieu of gifts we ask that you come out and eat some good food while bringing along a donation to one or both of our charities, ” says Perez. “It’s a family friendly and adult friendly event, so come along and celebrate with me!”
In addition to food and libations, masseuse Sophia Pena will be offering chair massages and donating a portion of the proceeds to the evening’s charities. Austin Eastciders will also be donating a portion of their drink proceeds.
Perez says her birthday bash is a fun way to offer help to others. “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.”
Ana’s 8th Annual Charity Birthday for a Cause, Saturday, March 3 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Big Bob’s Burgers, 447 W Hildebrand Ave.
