Press release from Western North Carolina AIDS Project:
The Western North Carolina AIDS Project, WNCAP is pleased to announce the recipient of the Honorary Chair award presented each year at the annual Raise Your Hand Auction and Gala, Asheville Attorney, David Gantt. “WNCAP is proud to recognize longtime partner, civil servant, and friend of the agency”, says Pam Siekman, Chairperson for the Gala. WNCAP is dedicated to reducing the impact and further spread of HIV by providing prevention and education services across Western North Carolina. The Raise Your Hand Auction & Gala is Saturday, September 23rd at the Asheville Event Centre on Sweeten Creek Road, presented by O.Henry’s and Wicked Weed Brewing Company.
“Honoring David Gantt as a champion for social justice throughout our region is easy,” states Mark Collins, WNCAP Board President. “David is the champion for the underdog, the voice of reason, and the giver of hope. From family man to PTA President to County Commissioner and just about everything in between, you’ll find David’s leadership setting a shining example of what it means to build community.” Over the year’s Gantt has attended WNCAP’s gala, and also donated a package where he himself cooked dinner for the highest bidder. In 2010 Gantt was the featured speaker at WNCAP’s AIDS Walk, and Asheville Rallies for AIDS Awareness. Christopher Winebrenner, WNCAP Community Resource Coordinator states, “Where some may turn a deaf ear to the problem of HIV infection in our community, David Gantt has made no qualms about publicly advocating for HIV prevention education, testing and medical case management care for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. He has supported WNCAP and the work we do for years and is a terrific example of an individual using their voice to confront stigma and ignorance.” David Gantt served on the Buncombe County board of commissioners from 1996 through 2016, and was Chair beginning in 2008.
WNCAP’s Raise Your Hand Auction and Gala begins at 6pm with an extravagant silent auction boasting donations of local art, fine wines, antiques, get away vacations, and jewelry. At 8pm guests will be seated for an exceptional dining experience by Chef Anthony Cerrato of Strada Italiano. Andrew Brunk, President of Brunk Auctions, will take the stage following dinner and entice the bidders into action bidding on a trip for two to Italy, the 2017 Signature Piece of art by Linda Gritta, and much, much more. Money raised from this event will go directly to helping finance WNCAP services, including HIV prevention and education, harm reduction, and case management services to those living with the disease across the 18 counties of Western North Carolina. For more information about WNCAP or to purchase tickets to the gala please visit www.wncapgala.org or contact the office 828-252-7489.
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