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"It is an honor and a privilege to be so closely involved with the successof AIDS Walk Los Angeles, an event that has come to belong to the City of WestHollywood, and that reflects its powerfully generous spirit," said Mr. Cohen."It seems fitting that a local landmark like Pacific Design Center should bethe setting for an event that unites the community of West Hollywood towardthe goal of continuing the vital work of Aids Project Los Angeles (APLA)," headded.
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Pacific Design Center has been the venue for AIDS Walk Los Angeles since2001, when security lock-down at Paramount Pictures following the terroristattacks of September 11th prevented the studio from hosting the event, as theyhad since 1985. Event organizers scrambling to find a replacement venuereached out to loyal supporters, Pacific Design Center, who readily offeredtheir location as a last-minute home for the event.
"When you have a big problem, you call your friends," said AIDS Walk LosAngeles founder Craig R. Miller. The City of West Hollywood and PacificDesign Center had been great supporters for many years, but we had neverthought of actually staging the even there. What began as a venue ofnecessity has evolved into a partnership by design."
From that moment on, a dynamic and prosperous collaboration among the Cityof West Hollywood, Pacific Design Center and AIDS Walk Los Angeles was born.Each year, the City of West Hollywood carefully maintains the grounds of WestHollywood Park, where participants gather for the Opening Ceremony andpre-walk team meetings. PDC's bold and colorful architecture and beautifullylandscaped grounds are an ideal setting for the "Star Walkers Club" breakfastand other event proceedings.
In 2007, Mr. Cohen became a Principal Sponsor of AIDS Walk Los Angeles.Last year 30,000 participants raised a record $3.7 million, making AIDS WalkLos Angeles the largest AIDS fundraiser in Southern California.
Since its inception, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has raised more than $55million for APLA and other HIV/AIDS organizations throughout LA County. AIDSProject Los Angeles, one of the largest non-profit AIDS service organizationsin the United States, provides bilingual direct services, prevention educationand leadership on HIV/AIDS-related policy and legislation. Founded by fourfriends in 1982, APLA is a community-based, volunteer supported organizationwith local, national and global reach. For more information, visithttp://www.apla.org.
About Charles Cohen
Visionary developer Charles S. Cohen is known for his brilliantrepositioning of commercial real estate. Mr. Cohen heads a multi-faceted realestate development company that develops, owns and manages more than12 million square feet of prime office and showroom space in Los Angeles,Manhattan, Florida and Houston, including several of New York City's mostprestigious Class A office building addresses.
About Pacific Design Center
Pacific Design Center is the west coast's leading resource for theinterior design trades. With more than 140 showrooms and 2,200 interiorproduct lines, PDC sells to the design professional. PDC serves the needs ofthe design, entertainment and arts communities by providing public and privateconference spaces for lectures, meetings, special events, screenings,exhibitions and receptions. A premier, multi-use facility, Pacific DesignCenter features The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA); two restaurantsoperated by world-renowned chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck; SilverScreenTheater,
