The 2012 Daedalus Project Raised a Record Amount of Money
News Release
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Ashland, Ore.— The Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s 2012 AIDS/HIV fundraiser, the Daedalus Project, raised a record $110,000 for local, regional, national and international charitable organizations.
The new record included $58,597 from the afternoon play reading and evening variety show, and $21,260 from the underwear parade, held during intermission of the evening event. Other events contributing to the Project’s success were sales of lemonade, T-shirts and pesto; a bake sale throughout the day and evening; an Arts & Treasures sale; and a 5K run.
In an email to the company about the Project, Executive Director Paul Nicholson wrote: “Having participated in or watched every Daedalus event since its inception 25 years ago, I can honestly say that this was among the very best. It really is an extraordinary event – it’s hard to imagine that we could raise over $100,000 in one day in a small town of 20,000 in Southern Oregon. Yet we do, and we change lives because of it. We have much to be proud of, and many people to appreciate.”
Following is a list of organizations that received funding from the 2012 Daedalus Project:
- OnTrack, Inc. – Alan F. Collins AIDS Project $57,000
Medford, Oregon
- HIV Alliance $16,000
(Josephine, Douglas, Coos and Curry Counties)
- Siskiyou County HIV/AIDS Foundation (SCHAF) $12,000
- Africare $5,000
- G.R.A.C.E. USA $10,000
- Strength for the Journey $2,500
The remaining $7,500 was transferred to OSF’s Rex Rabold Fund, used to assist company members facing life threatening illnesses where insurance is not available.
OSF Associate Artist James Edmondson had the original idea for an AIDS/HIV fundraiser 25 years ago. The late OSF Artistic Director Emeritus Jerry Turner named the event the Daedalus Project after the story of Daedalus from Greek mythology. Daedalus and his son, Icarus, were imprisoned in a labyrinth by King Minos, and by crafting wings from wax and feathers, Daedalus created a way out of the maze.
The 2013 Daedalus Project will be held on Monday, August 19.
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