A $500,000 promise is kept

Francine Goldstein was close this year to raising $500,000 for the New York AIDS Walk, a long-term promise of hers. For 27 years, the Merokean had raised thousands of dollars to fight the virus that took a dear friend. After a large corporate sponsor dropped out, however, Goldstein refused to give up on the pledge that she made when she first found out about her friend’s diagnosis.

Goldstein needed to raise at least $36,000. The funds that finally came resulted from a raffle ticket, of all things.

Her nephew, a member of the Boys and Girls Club, invited Goldstein to contribute to a charity fundraiser by buying a raffle ticket. The prize was a trip to the horseracing’s Triple Crown events. Goldstein, as it turned out, won the raffle and immediately contacted the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, an organization that she had worked closely with on fundraising projects since she learned of her friend’s diagnosis.

When the nonprofit organization’s CEO, Kelsey Louie, learned in the spring of Goldstein’s raffle ticket and her goal, the GMHC auctioned it off. This year, Goldstein’s funds reached more than $40,000, with her total funds surpassing the $500,000 mark.

Mission accomplished.

The GMHC is just one of several groups that have supported Goldstein on her journey, along with many individuals. “The first year we did the walk, her sponsors consisted of me and our two dogs,” recalled Goldstein’s husband, Lenny. “Now she has over 500 sponsors who share their own stories with us.”

In May, Goldstein was at an unrelated fundraiser at a friend’s house when a member of the Nassau County Legislature approached her. She had no idea she was about to be awarded Humanitarian of the Year. She has previously been awarded a proclamation from the New York State Legislature, and for 14 years she has taken home a trophy from the AIDS Walk for being one of the top five fundraisers. Goldstein recalled what Louie told her this past year when she was struggling to reach the funds she needed: “Kelsey said to let people know I had a goal. And it worked,” Goldstein said.

Today the GMHC continues to support those affected by AIDS, both at the AIDS Walk and through its year-round services. It also serves as a community space and offers education programs, alcohol counseling, a food pantry and many more opportunities to receive help. This year’s AIDS Walk has raised more than $3 million.