Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team logoCompassion in Action
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The Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team Commemorated 20 Years of Service

By Noel Alumit

Above, from left to right: APAIT’s Mistress Of Ceremonies, actress and comedienne Amy Hill, Jury Candelario, actor Rex Lee from HBO’s “Entourage,” APAIT Board Member John Wirfs, and “Sixteen Candles” actor and Visionary Award presenter Gedde Watanabe.

The Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT), Southern California’s largest provider of HIV/AIDS services to Asian and Pacific Islanders, commemorated its 20 year anniversary with a gala on Sunday, October 14th. Festivities were held at the Music Box at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, California.

In 1987, the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team started as a small volunteer driven program. Today it is a million dollar non-profit with offices in Downtown Los Angeles and Orange County. It maintains a staff of over twenty people providing services ranging from preventing HIV infection to directly working with HIV positive clients to better their lives. Last year, approximately 10,000 individuals were served.

APAIT’s anniversary theme was “Compassion in Action,” reinforcing Compassion as a true constant in the organization’s 20 years of existence. Honorary Committee Members for the evening included Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Senator Dianne Feinstien, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Los Angeles County Second Dist. Board of Supervisor Yvonne Burke, and many others.

Actress Amy Hill hosted and Last Comic Standing Winner Dat Phan entertained. Actors James Kyson Lee (Heroes), Rex Lee (Entourage), and Gedde Watanabe (Sixteen Candles) were on hand to present awards. Other who made the evening memorable included the presence of Vice Chair of the California Board of Equalization Judy Chu and performances by the Arpana Dance Troupe and the Three Filipino Tenors.

The evening honored founding Director Dean Goishi, the Clinical Support staff of 5P21/Rand Schrader Clinic, and the Wells Fargo Foundation for their contributions in the AIDS fight.

Above, from left to right: COMPASSION IN ACTION honorees from left to right, Dean Goishi – Visionary Award, Jerry Ruiz and Wells Fargo – Corporate Leadership Award, Division Director Jury Candelario, and Bill Briggs, Rochelle Rawls and Lini Africano of 5P21/Rand Schrader Clinic – Unsung Heroes Award.

Above, from left to right: State Board of Equalization Board Vice-Chair Judy Chu, Wells Fargo Vice-President of Community Development Jerry Ruiz, APAIT’s Board Member John Wirfs, and HBO’s Entourage “Rex Lee.”

Above, from left to right: Unsung Heroes Awardees from 5P21/Rand Schrader Clinic – Bill Briggs, Lini Africano, Angela Sellers and Rochelle Ranks, flanked by NBC’s “Heroes” actor and award presenter James Kyson Lee.

Above, from left to right: APAIT Division Director Jury Candelario, APAIT Founding Director Dean Goishi, and APAIT Board President Laurent Sy.

Above, from left to right: APAIT Board President Laurent Sy, Division Director Jury Candelario, NBC’s Last Comic Standing winner Dat Phan, APAIT veteran Noel Alumit, and APAIT Board Member John Wirfs.