This year, to commemorate World AIDS Day (December 1st), over 50 M∙A∙C Artists from around New Zealand have put away their makeup brushes in exchange for paint brushes, brooms & garden rakes. M∙A∙C Artists from New Zealand have pitched in to help local HIV organizations raise awareness for HIV and AIDS whilst extending the work of the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund by giving back.
M∙A∙C Artists have spent time helping local organization Positive Women move into their new premises by painting and sanding walls, weeding and tending to the garden. They will also spend time with members of Positive Women tomorrow and give them makeovers to celebrate the doors opening to their new premises on World AIDS Day. M∙A∙C Artists have also assisted the NZ AIDS Foundation in collecting street donations throughout Auckland and Wellington. They will not be alone, over 1,800 M∙A∙C Artists from around the globe will support similar causes across North America, Europe, UK, Africa and of course, Asia Pacific.
Now in its third year, the M∙A∙C World AIDS Day Volunteer initiative is a week-long endeavour from November 28th until December 2nd that allows M∙A∙C Artists and employees to dedicate a day to working, helping out or simply visiting the human faces that M∙A∙C supports through the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund. The program is designed to break down barriers and build relationships within communities; it is a chance to connect and bond over a common cause.
“When it comes to supporting the fight against HIV and AIDS, the passion and dedication of M∙A∙C Make-up Artists is awe-inspiring. The volunteer initiative gives us a chance to meet the people and organizations Viva Glam supports and allows us to work side by side with fellow artists and M∙A∙C Executives. It’s a reminder that we are one big family united for a common cause,” says Amber D, M∙A∙C Senior Artist for New Zealand.
Each and every day the artists at M∙A∙C make a difference. For each M∙A∙C Viva Glam product sold, M∙A∙C is able to donate 100% of the selling price (less GST) to the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund. To date, over $228M USD has been generated globally through Viva Glam sales.
In New Zealand, Viva Glam sales have exceeded $1.3M NZD since 1999. These funds have been used to support local programs including Positive Women’s Digital Storytelling where courageous NZ women living with HIV found their voice and shared their story; Body Positive’s Rapid HIV Testing campaign encouraging people to get tested for HIV; Positive Women’s Destigmatization Campaign encouraging people to forget the stereotypes; and the set up of the INA HIV and AIDS Foundation whose goal is to improve the quality of life for those affected by HIV and AIDS within the Maori, Indigenous and South Pacific communities in New Zealand. In December 2011 grants will be made to Positive Women for $50,000 USD and INA for $30,000 USD to support their Silence No More campaign.
New Zealand will be one of over 30 countries participating in the World AIDS Day Volunteer effort. In Hong Kong, M∙A∙C Artists will work with the Society for AIDS Care to distribute red ribbons and condoms to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. Children at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation in Australia will be treated to face painting by M∙A∙C Artists. M∙A∙C staff in Malaysia will host a retreat for women and children who receive services from The Sarawak AIDS Concern Society, playing games and teaching make-up techniques to the attendees. In London, M∙A∙C Artists will work with the Food Chain, collecting money and raising awareness for the organization. In New York City, M∙A∙C will chop carrots and bake brownies in the kitchen at God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that prepares and delivers food to people living with HIV and AIDS.
