Category: Blog

Photo Credit: Kelly Burkhardt

Philadelphia, PA – February 2025 – Philly AIDS Thrift is thrilled to announce the distribution of $358,085 in grants to 34 non-profit organizations and programs centered on HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support in the Delaware Valley.

“This is by far my favorite moment of the entire year! To be able to have such a profound impact on programs that are doing tremendous work on behalf of individuals and communities impacted by HIV/AIDS across the Delaware Valley is truly humbling,” says Philly AIDS Thrift’s Board President, Michael Byrne. “This year’s grants push us to an extraordinary milestone: over 5 million dollars donated to the cause since our inception. We are forever grateful for our staff, our volunteers, our donors, and our loyal customers – thank you sincerely from the bottom of our hearts!”

Philly AIDS Thrift’s Executive Director and Cofounder, Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou, adds, “It is amazing to all of us that we have reached this monumental milestone. Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly every day to ensure we can make the biggest difference possible in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. We could not do it without our generous donors and enthusiastic shoppers.” Philly AIDS Thrift welcomes donations of gently used items all year round, transforming them into proceeds for future grants and continued community impact.

Philly AIDS Thrift’s Grant Program began in 2014 to expand its services to the community. Since then, it has grown exponentially, awarding over 250 grants to more than 50 organizations. Even amidst economic challenges, the grant program has maintained its commitment to funding essential services in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The support provided by these grants is more vital than ever in ensuring the resilience and well-being of affected communities.

Media Articles about the grants and milestones! Thank you to all of the media outlets who shared this wonderful news!

Billy Penn at WHYY – https://billypenn.com/2025/03/06/philly-aids-thrift-5-million-donations-milestone/

MyChesCo – https://www.mychesco.com/a/news/regional/philly-aids-thrift-surpasses-5-million-in-donations-awards-358085-in-grants/

Metro Philadelphia – https://metrophiladelphia.com/philly-aids-thrift-donations/

PGN – https://epgn.com/2025/02/18/philly-aids-thrift-surpasses-5-million-in-donations/

To see all the 2025 grant recepients: visit https://www.phillyaidsthrift.com/about/

Stevie Laney is a Philadelphia muralist, painter, and volunteer, who you can find helming the registers at the Philly AIDS Thrift. Visitors may recognize her Grace Jones mural, which she recently completed in-store. She has also painted the exteriors of a number of storefronts in and around Queen Village, including Gerber Accounting & Tax Services, and the South Street Art Mart, where she works full-time.

Laney has also, of late, added “publisher” to her extensive CV. She has recently launched Very, a glossy magazine of erotic art, which she hopes will offer an outlet for artists exploring the full range of that most enticing subject: the good ol’ human form. We talked to Laney about falling in love with Philly AIDS Thrift, narrowly avoiding an Instagram ban, and creating a new forum of erotic art in Philly.

more “Meet Stevie Laney” …