There is something to be said in a world where an expanding city cannot see the virtue in providing basic needs such as shelter and food to those suffering from HIV/AIDS . Once again Artists for Quality of life, a small non–profit group, is taking a proactive step to boost the spirits and brighten the everyday life of these individuals.
Artists for Quality of Life (AFQOL) was founded by Donnie Peters in the early 1990’s. The efforts of the organization took form with its annual Cut-A-Thon to raise money and create community for those living and coping with HIV/AIDS. Their fundraising has gone largely to support the Positive Living Lunch Program started by Minni and George Coulson in 1988. The program’s Friday lunches offer men, women and children an opportunity to come together and create community through meeting others like them over a hot meal. For some, this is the only hot meal they get with any regularity.
The loss of Donnie Peters restricted funding to the lunch program as his work had helped with grocery bills and basic cooking essentials for years. The push for this year’s Cut-A-Thon is to return the valuable program to a bi-monthly schedule and introduce a coffee and support program to revive the community that existed in the lunch room at the AIDS Calgary offices,
”The most important thing when living with HIV/AIDS is community. It’s everyone’s disease - someday everyone is going to know someone living with AIDS,” says Linda Huston, a representative of Artists for Quality of Life who is carrying the program into its fourth successful year.
The Cut-A-Thon brings the top hair stylists in Calgary to Tomkins Park for a one-day extravaganza that the whole family can enjoy, with discounted $10 dollar hair cuts for kids; it’s perfect for back to school! The events are planned keeping the young ones in mind, with face painting, pop corn stands, and clowns. Other entertainment includes a live band and local DJ’s, making for a memorable day.
The event draws salons all up and down city streets: Ginger Group, Fringe, Affinity, Jami Symons Salons and Chrome, just to name a few.
“Where else can you go and get a $20 hair cut from professionals who normally charge $70?” comments Huston.
In hopes of maintaining the lunch program, Artists for Quality of Life is embarking on several events over the summer to make good on their promise of whole community participation. They are doing this by bringing a large selection of event venues into the mix:
June 28th of this past pride month saw the imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch throw their Celebration of Stonewall party at Twisted Element. On August 19th, Money Pennies will be holding a charity BBQ - the place with the best burgers in the city is no small endorsement for a good cause. September 1st will be the “Endless Summer Beach Party” hosted at the Backlot, with the promise that getting “Lei’d” and ”skewered” can be a very pleasurable experience. The aforementioned Cut-A-Thon will culminate the summer festivities on September 3rd, running from 10am until 5pm, ending in a volunteer after-party at Twisted Element.
The funds garnered by these spectacular events are moved quickly where they are needed. “None of the money raised goes to the shuffle,“ Says Huston. “The extras are all given to us by our generous sponsors.”
Artists for Quality of Life does a great deal for the people who have been largely forgotten in the waves of hard won political over the last decade. AFQOL remains strong in the fight against the stigma of a disease that has ravaged our communities for the last thirty years. It is closer to all of us than we care to think, and continues to be the epidemic of our time.

Artists for Quality of Life
Aug 9th - Money Pennies Charity BBQ
Sept 1st – Backlot’s Endless Summer Beach Party
Sept 3rd – 4th Annual Donnie Peters Memorial Cut-a-thon
www.afqol.com