Save the date, June 24, for a trip to the Los Angeles Zoo. Though the price of admission is a bit higher than what one would normally pay for such a zoological expedition, the cause is worthwhile—a fundraiser party for Southern California’s Advertising Industry Emergency Fund (AIEF).
Established some 30-plus years ago, the AIEF is a volunteer organization consisting of advertising people brought together to help their colleagues in times of life crisis. If an ad industry artisan has exhausted his or her personal assets and is unable to work due to a catastrophic illness, other medical emergencies, an accident or some form of major life crisis, the AIEF is there to lend a financial helping hand.
In addition to financial assistance, the AIEF provides referrals to other resources and individuals who have specific expertise that can help those in need move forward and get back on their feet. The AIEF calls itself "the safety net" for advertising industry professionals. So that net can continue to be in place, the organization holds fundraisers, elicits donations and recruits volunteers.
Also, if your company participates in an annual United Way drive, you can designate the AIEF as your charitable organization of choice to receive funds.
Since 1972, the AIEF has granted nearly $2 million in emergency money to individuals in the Southern California advertising community. Confidential loans can also be arranged for qualified individuals who have been employed in the industry for at least one year, or absent from the industry for no longer than a year. Retirees can also qualify for assistance. Priority is given to medical emergencies, but other emergency situations are also considered.
"None of our beneficiaries ever thought that they would need AIEF. We hope that none of us ever do. But should that need ever come about, we plan to be here, ready and willing to help in whatever way we can," said AIEF president Pamela McCarthy, VP/director of human resources at Davis-Elen Advertising, Los Angeles.
Other AIEF officers include executive VP Mike Brown of KTLA-TV, first VP Darlene Hayman of Grey Worldwide/ Mediacom, Los Angeles, and treasurer Adam Goldman of McCann-Erickson, Los Angeles. Keith Di Michele serves as AIEF’s executive director.
AIEF’s biggest fundraising event is its annual November Show. Individual membership in the organization is also available at different dues levels: sponsor at $25, patron at $50, Golden Circle at $100 and Grand Club at $250. Corporate levels start at bronze ($1,000+) and move up to silver ($2,500+), gold ($5,000+) and platinum ($10,000+).
Billed as "Get Wild With AIEF," the upcoming Los Angeles Zoo festivities—slated for Thursday, June 24, from 5:30-10:30 p.m.—include food, drink, a nighttime jungle tour and party, and dancing to the sounds of the Hodads. Tickets are $40 per person in advance; $50 at the door. The AIEF slogan for the event is simply, "We also give good party while we give—and do—good."
For more information, log onto www.aief.org or call (818) 345-4111.
