About AIDS

Octopus Club has broken its own record, raising $69,669 in 2003 for the Paul Kirby Emergency Assistance Fund at AIDS Services of Austin! As always, every penny goes directly to an HIV-positive person in Austin needing financial help with rent, utilities, medications, food, and other essentials. Since 1989, Octopus Club has raised a whopping $722,613! This level of caring and support for our neighbors facing the challenges of HIV is astounding. If you were involved in any way with Octopus Club -- gave a party, attended a party, helped with organization -- please congratulate yourself.

Octopus is a uniquely Austin thing, with lots of people each doing a little part so that the total achievement is huge -- and all by having a good time! Basically, it's about people having parties and inviting their friends to donate to a good cause.

You can help in 2004! Throw your own Octopus Club party. Large or small, it could be a solo effort or done with friends. The Octopi are there to help you make it happen. Or join one of the "big" parties with multiple hosts: Arterotica in February, Octotrot in the spring, or Oasis Octotea Dance in the fall.

Giving a party or helping others give theirs isn't hard and doesn't take a lot of time -- and you are commanded to have fun! To find out how you can be a part of the action, check out the Web site at www.octopusclub.org.

There will be a time when HIV is no longer a challenge to our community. Until that happy day, it ain't over yet -- we'll keep "fun-raising" as long as the need persists.

Lew Aldridge, Founding Octopi

with Sandy Bartlett, Community Education Coordinator, AIDS Services of Austin

Have questions about HIV or AIDS? Call the ASA Info-Line at 458-AIDS or e-mail sandy.bartlett@asaustin.org.