Action Wellness Presents Black-Tie GayBINGO! To Honor AIDS Fund And It’s Important Legacy In Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia’s most formal, festive and fabulous night is back! Action Wellness proudly presents the return of Black-Tie GayBINGO! on Saturday, March 22, 2025, starting at 6:30pm, at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel’s Regency Ballroom (1200 Market Street). Now in its 26th year, Black-Tie GayBINGO! rolls out the glitz and glamour as it continues to raise significant funds for live-saving programs to help those with HIV disease. This year’s event holds special significance as AIDS Fund, the original creator of GayBINGO!, will be honored for over 35 years of leadership in the fight against HIV, and for establishing one of Philadelphia’s most iconic fundraising events. After passing the torch in late 2024, Action Wellness now takes the helm, ensuring the legacy of GayBINGO! continues to thrive for years to come. For this year’s grand return, guests will enjoy a fun-filled evening with a welcome cocktail reception, silent auction, seated dinner, dancing, musical numbers, prizes, and of course, GayBINGO! hosted by Carlota Ttendant with Philadelphia’s famous BVDs (Bingo Verifying Divas). Tickets and sponsorship packages are on sale now here. For more information and event previews, please follow Action Wellness and GayBINGO! on social media.
“Black-Tie GayBINGO! is an event full of joy, affirmation and love,” said Action Wellness Executive Executive Director Mary Evelyn Torres. “It’s an opportunity to raise money and awareness about ending the HIV epidemic. This is our first year as an organization hosting the event and we are proud to honor AIDS Fund, an organization, like Action Wellness, that has done incredible work while positively impacting the lives of people with HIV over the last 30 years. Please join us for a night of dining, dancing and GayBINGO! with the incredible Bingo Verifying Divas.”
GayBINGO! is the fabulous, irreverent, campy and wildly popular monthly event that has been entertaining Philadelphia audiences for nearly 30 years. The “Best of Philly” award-winning event went on to host tens of thousands of people, attract sold out crowds, garner national attention, and raise millions of dollars.
AIDS Fund created the event in 1996 as a way to raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS programs and services. Celebrating a different theme each month, hundreds of people would pack the hall for a night of good old-fashioned BINGO – but not your Mother’s BINGO! GayBINGO! is hosted by the infamous Bingo Verifying Divas (BVDs!) – a wild bunch of drag queens who entertain the crowd with their wacky humor and always outrageous costumes. During the night, look for unbridled fun with ridiculous musical numbers, hilarious drag queen antics and chances to win prizes.
In 1999, GayBINGO! organizers decided to up the drama and elevate the event with the first-ever Black-Tie GayBINGO! Volunteers were not sure what to expect, but the event was so well received that it has continued and gone on to now celebrate 26 years in 2025.
For this year’s big event, Black-Tie GayBINGO! will take over the elegant Regency Ballroom at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Center City. Come dressed to impress for the social event of the year.
Guests will enjoy a special cocktail reception, seated dinner with exclusive menu just for the event, music and dancing, and of course rounds of GayBINGO! The Bingo Verifying Divas will of course be on hand and please come ready with the compliments, as they will be looking more glamorous than ever! Two long-time fan favorites and GayBINGO! icons will be on hand to preside over the evening’s festivities. Carlota Ttendant will host the BINGO games, and Stella D’Oro will serve as hostess of the awards and program.
During the night, guests can help raise additional funds through a silent auction featuring gift cards, prizes and packages from local restaurants, hotels, music venues, museums and local small businesses.
Action Wellness will honor AIDS Fund with the 2025 Black-Tie GayBINGO! Community Award for their work in starting the event and for their work for the Philadelphia community. Former Executive Director Robb Reichard will accept on behalf of AIDS Fund, along with former staff and board members. In December 2024, AIDS Fund announced their decision to conclude operations.
“Founded at the height of the AIDS epidemic, AIDS Fund had been a steadfast force in addressing the challenges of HIV,” said Torres. “After 35 years of dedicated service, AIDS Fund concluded operations in December of 2024. This marked the end of an extraordinary chapter in the fight against HIV in Philadelphia – a chapter defined by resilience, compassion and community driven progress. Their work has been instrumental in raising awareness, supporting individuals and families, and funding critical services during times of crisis.”
She added, “At Action Wellness, we are both humbled and honored to continue a part of AIDS Fund’s incredible legacy by taking over the production of GayBINGO!, a beloved tradition that has brought joy and laughter to our community while raising vital funds to combat HIV. We are committed to preserving the magic of GayBINGO! and ensuring it continues to be a space for celebration, community, and meaningful impact. Together, we can ensure that their vision of a world without HIV is carried forward with the same determination and heart. Join us in honoring AIDS Fund and paying tribute to their important work.”
GayBINGO! and Black-Tie GayBINGO! have raised over $4M to date and counting. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Tickets and sponsorship packages are on sale now at aidsfundphilly dot org/gaybingo. For more information and event previews, please follow Action Wellness on social media.
COMING EVENTS
Monthly GayBingo will continue from April to June, before taking a break for the summer season. Below events will be held at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, located at 615 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA. Save these dates!
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Mad Hatter Tea Party GayBINGO!
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Y2K Prom GayBINGO!
Saturday, June 7, 2025
White Lotus GayBINGO!
Action Wellness also celebrates the 35th Anniversary for another one of Philadelphia’s most iconic and well-known HIV benefits, Dining Out for Life. Save the date for Thursday, April 24, 2025, at dozens of top restaurants in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs.
ABOUT ACTION WELLNESS
Action Wellness works to enhance the lives of persons with HIV and those at high risk of acquiring HIV by providing a range of trauma-informed social services to help clients achieve physical, emotional and economic well-being. Services include medical case management, treatment as prevention, supportive housing, and volunteer services.
Action Wellness serves over 4,000 clients annually through the efforts of over 400 dedicated volunteers and over 100 professional staff working together to sustain and enhance the quality of life for the diverse community it serves. Services are provided at five Action Wellness locations and at more than 30 host sites throughout the city of Philadelphia and in Delaware County. Action Wellness is dedicated to making sure that no one faces their illness alone. Programs are open to all people regardless of their ability to pay.
Action Wellness is one of Pennsylvania’s largest AIDS service organizations – and it is the largest AIDS service organization in Philadelphia. For more information, visit actionwellness dot org and diningoutforlife dot com slash city slash philadelphia hyphen delaware hyphen valley. Follow on Action Wellness and Dining Out For Life on social media.
HISTORY
In September 1986, a group of committed volunteers came together in Philadelphia to form a community of care to provide services to people with HIV. These were the partners, family, and friends of the founding volunteers. These volunteers acted, and ActionAIDS was born! The Reverend Jim Littrell was the first Executive Director, Bob Schoenberg was the first Board President, and Anna Forbes was the first staff member. The mission statement simply read: “ActionAIDS believes that no one should face AIDS alone.” In its first year of service, ActionAIDS helped over 100 people.
In June 2016, ActionAIDS became Action Wellness. Thanks to dedicated volunteers, committed staff, generous donors, and ongoing support from city, state, and federal funders, Action Wellness continues to provide life-sustaining services to persons with HIV or at high risk of acquiring HIV and their families.
Each year, Action Wellness serves over 2,000 clients through the efforts of over 200 dedicated volunteers and over 80 professional staff. Services are client-centered, individualized and trauma-informed. Work continues to build a strong, diverse, and committed community of caring dedicated to positively impacting the physical, emotional and economic wellbeing of the individuals the organization serves on a daily basis.
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CONTACT:
Kory Aversa
Aversa PR
215-840-9216
Kevin Vuernick
Development Coordinator
Action Wellness
215-981-3352
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