The West Hollywood City Council recognized nine staff members Tuesday night for their efforts to raise money for programs and services at AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA).
The nine, dubbed “Team Weho,” collectively raised $42,000 for their participation in the Team to End AIDS (T2) XTERRA Trail Running World Championship, a half-marathon in Hawaii. The event, which took place on Nov. 24 on the north shore of the island of Oahu, was a 13.1-mile off-road trail run, which required months of physical training and fund-raising.
“I am so proud of Team Weho for representing our city for such a great cause,” said Mayor Abbe Land. “Not only did they work hard to raise funds, they also completed a grueling trail run to support APLA. Their dedication and work ethic is a great asset to our city.”
The nine employees who comprised “Team Weho” are: 1) Paul Arevalo, City Manager; 2) Seantea Burroughs, Administrative Specialist II; 3) Francisco Contreras, Senior Planner; 4) Oscar Delgado, Director of Public Works; 5) Adrian Gallo, Associate Planner; 6) Janet Jimenez, Management Specialist; 7) Katherine Nguyen, Accounting/Finance Specialist; 8) Long Thu, Assistant Civil Engineer, and 9) Laurie Yelton, Associate Planner.
West Hollywood, incorporated in 1984, has been disproportionally affected by HIV and AIDS, largely because of its large population of gay men. It was the first city to fund services for most of the local organizations established in the mid-1980s in the early response to the AIDS crisis. Today, the city continues to provide funding to support HIV and AIDS education, prevention, and medical services – as well as programs for mental health, food, housing, and community enhancement – for community members.
Since its founding in 1983, AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) has grown to become of the largest AIDS service organizations in the nation. Services and programs are offered to 11,000 clients each year.
Congrats and thank you for all your dedication and hard work