Help Is On the Way Rings in the Holidays

Holidays can be especially difficult for those living with HIV. Every year The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation offers a holiday spectacular not only to entertain you, but to let people with AIDS know that they are not forgotten.

The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation was formed by Barbara Richmond and Peggy Ermet. These close friends both lost their only sons to AIDS. Richmond/Ermet honors the legacies of the ladies' lost children, and of all those whose lives are impacted by the scourge of HIV.

Richmond/Ermet performances serve as fundraisers for a wide variety of AIDS service organizations which provide critical services such as medical care and food. Raising funds is Richmond/Ermet's mission statement, but their benefit concerts are also a highlight of the local performing arts scene. Where else can you enjoy the talents of Broadway and cabaret stars, classic TV actors, along with campy comedy, and even some dancing, all in one evening?

The 2014 edition of "Help Is on the Way For the Holidays" will benefit Maitri Compassionate Care and Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS. This year's show features Jai Rodriguez, La Toya London, Davis Gaines, Jason Brock, the cast of The Meshugga Nutcracker, and cast members from the national touring company of the musical Kinky Boots. There will also be a silent auction.

But more important, these benefit concerts provide a celebratory community event where talented performers offer their time and talent, local businesses donate their products and efforts, and patrons offer their generous donations.

Richmond/Ermet Executive Director Ken Henderson runs the unique nonprofit with his longtime partner Joe Sieler, the board president, and many stalwart volunteers and board members. Henderson answered some questions about Help Is on The Way shows, past and present.

David Elijah-Nahmod: What will some of the auction items be this year?

Ken Henderson: Live auction items will include a twelve-day cruise to Alaska on Celebrity cruises, an African photo safari, and a walk-on role in Kinky Boots, including tickets to the show and some memorabilia. There will also be a limited silent auction in the lobby of the theater before the show starting at 6PM.

What might some of the higher end auction items be?

The silent auction will have beautiful men's and women's jewelry, wine packages, designer handbags, and more.

What will the performers be doing in this year's show?

We don't like to give away what performers are doing specifically, because that ruins the element of surprise. But it will largely be holiday music sprinkled with music that reflects the spirit of the holidays: love, hope, compassion and caring. And of course, the cast of The Meshuggah Nutcracker will do something from their show for a little Chanukah music. It's a celebration of the holidays in general. We try to be inclusive of everyone's beliefs.

Can you share any funny stories about past shows?

There was the time Jane Russell did our show and asked to meet Lorna Luft, Judy Garland's other daughter [Liza Minelli]. When Lorna came over to meet her, Jane asked, "How's your mother?" Jane's sister, who was accompanying her then, leaned over and said, "I think you mean her sister!" To which Jane replied: "Oh, whatever!"

Do you have any favorite performers from the past?

Carole Cook is our own grand diva and has appeared in more of our benefits than any other performer. But there have been so many great performers who donate their time and talent and who like doing our shows. A few have even contacted us and asked to be in our shows again rather than waiting to be asked. I guess that says something about how well we treat our stars. One of my all-time favorite singers who appeared in our very first benefit, was Nancy LaMott, for whom the song "Help Is On the Way" was written. Nancy died of uterine cancer just about six months after that first benefit. She had been a close friend of Doug Ermet, and through him had become a good friend of ours, too.

Do you have any dream guests who've yet to appear?

People have always asked from the very beginning why we don't get Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Cher, etc. While all those would be great, stars like that don't fly up on their own and perform in local benefits. If they were to come, they'd bring an entourage of managers, hairdressers, musical directors, and band members.

Can you say something about this year's beneficiary organizations?

Maitri Compassionate Care is the last dedicated AIDS hospice in the Bay Area. Maitri provides around the clock care to people in their last stages of life as well as those requiring full time or 24 hour short term care. Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS will be a lesser beneficiary: they provide funding to agencies nationally. Working with them helps us to attract touring companies of Broadway shows for our benefits such as this one with the cast of Kinky Boots.

AIDS is no longer front page news. Can you remind people why this matters?

There is too much apathy about AIDS these days. Yes, new drug therapies have helped make AIDS a manageable disease, but it's still not a disease that you want to have to manage. There are still unpleasant side effects to most drugs and not everyone has access to them. If you don't have private insurance, they can be very expensive. Too many young people have cavalier attitudes about sex these days and don't use protection. We're closer than ever for finding a cure for HIV but we don't have it yet.

"Help Is on the Way For The Holidays: Just Be Who You Want to Be." December 8. Silent auction: 6:30pm. Show at 7:30pm. $50-120. Marines Memorial Theater, 609 Sutter St. www.helpisontheway.org