Macy’s to present AIDS Care with $5000 grant for annual Shop and Wrap

Rochester, NY – Marketplace Mall Macy’s representatives, William Kearns, Jennifer Pettiti, and Jill Baker will present AIDS Care the New York State West District grant of $5000 to support the annual Shop and Wrap on Wednesday, March 21, at 9:30 AM.  GALAXe Pride at Work founded the Shop and Wrap initiative which is now in its twentieth year serving patients and clients of AIDS Care. 

The Shop and Wrap is an annual holiday event sponsored in partnership by both Macy’s and the Xerox Community Involvement Program.  It involves over 50 volunteers comprised of representatives from Macy’s, GALAXe Pride at Work, and AIDS Care; as well as friends, families and local LGBT colleagues involved with the aforementioned organizations.  Volunteers shop for necessary items such as personal care products (shampoo, bandages, and toothbrushes), home cleaning and paper products, warm winter scarves and gloves, and simple holiday treats beforehand.  The group then joins together at AIDS Care on a Saturday morning in early December to fill and wrap holiday boxes for those in need.  In December 2011, over 60 volunteers participated and 200 boxes were filled and wrapped to benefit the patients and clients at AIDS Care, many of whom are too ill to work, have families to support and/ or rely on public assistance, and cannot afford basic personal care necessities.

“AIDS Care is very grateful for the support from Macy’s throughout the years,” says Michael Beatty, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, at AIDS Care, “Receiving this grant only further enhances the quality of care and service we can provide to our patients and clients, as well as raising community awareness and bringing together groups from different organizations to volunteer for our cause.”

Additionally, The Marketplace Macy's has again selected AIDS Care as the benefactor of  their annual "Bag Hunger" campaign which takes place in the summer months when food pantry supplies are more scarce and school meal programs are not offered.  Jill Baker will continue as the Macy’s Executive-in-Charge of the “Bag Hunger” event.