“Denim to Diamonds' gala to honor those who give

NEW HAVEN — AIDS Project New Haven will honor Shawn Lang with the Alvin Novick Memorial Leadership Award at its annual gala, this year with a “Denim to Diamonds” gala from 6 p.m. too midnight on Oct. 2 in the Michael J. Adanti Student Center Ballroom at Southern Connecticut State University.
The event will feature a live and silent auction, cocktail hour, awards presentation, passed hors d’oeuvres and eclectic food stations, music by Full Sound Productions and dancing, the agency said in a statement.
All proceeds benefit the programs and services of AIDS Project New Haven, the statement said.
“Al Novick, a founder of AIDS Project New Haven, was an early, passionate, brave and tenacious advocate and leader in responding to the AIDS crisis in New Haven and beyond. He had an extraordinary capacity to be direct with public officials about their ethical and programmatic shortcomings, always expressed in the context of sound science and good public health. Shawn embodies each of those characteristics and carries the torch onward in fighting everyday for social justice, public policy, rights and the basic human and healthcare needs of individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Connecticut and across the country,” AIDS Project New Haven Executive Director Chris Cole said in the statement.
The Community Loan Fund of Greater New Haven will receive the Community Partner Award and Ed Leduc, a long-time AIDS Project New Haven volunteer and community advocate will posthumously receive the Volunteer award at the gala, the statement said.
Gala guests are invited wear casual chic to formal attire and anything in between, the statement said.
“In these challenging economic times, we want our supporters to be comfortable and contribute what they would have spent on formal attire to the programs and services of AIDS Project New Haven,” Cole said in the statement.
To purchase tickets and for more information on the gala or programs and services of AIDS Project New Haven, visit www.apnh.org or call 203-624-0947.

Photo by Fran McMullen/Studio38