Friday, December 23, 2005

Atons host Holiday Fundraiser

(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #276, December 23, 2005)

BYLINE: photos by Paul Nixdorf and Steve Lenius

Leather holiday cheer and goodwill was in abundant supply at The Saloon on Sunday evening, Dec. 11, when The Atons of Minneapolis hosted their annual Holiday Fundraiser.

Over 600 pounds of food and other items were collected for The Aliveness Project’s Holiday Basket program, and door proceeds of over $850 also benefited The Aliveness Project (<www.aliveness.org>). A live and silent auction raised over $2700 for Open Arms of Minnesota (<www.openarmsmn.org>).

Although the event was hosted by the Atons, attendees included members of several other local clubs and organizations including the Black Guard of Minneapolis, Knights of Leather, Minnesota Storm Patrol, MSDB and North Star Gay Rodeo Association. In support of the event the Knights of Leather presented a check for $250 and Minnesota Storm Patrol presented a check for $100.

1. FEATURED PHOTO: ATONS GROUP SHOT. Choose one: DSC_8246, DSC_8247 or DSC_8248. Photo Credit to Paul Nixdorf.

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Full, associate and honorary members of The Atons of Minneapolis.

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Leather barber Brian Preston makes sure Andrew Bertke looks his best for the holidays.

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The evening’s bootblack, David Page.

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Some of the 600+ pounds of food and other supplies collected for The Aliveness Project’s Holiday Basket Program.

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“Going twice! Sold!” Atons president Bruce Chambers conducts the live auction.

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Atons president Bruce Chambers displays one of the items to be sold during the live auction.

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The Knights of Leather and Minnesota Storm Patrol each presented The Atons with a check in support of the fundraiser. Top, Atons president Bruce Chambers (left) accepts a check for $250 from David Coral (right) of the Knights of Leather. Bottom, Minnesota Storm Patrol president Joe Siedschlag (left) presents a check for $100 to Chambers (right).

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Kevin Winge, Executive Director, Open Arms of Minnesota (left) and David Page, Atons Associate Member and the evening’s bootblack (right), inspect the auction merchandise.

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Tom Genty (left) and Scott Schlaffman (right) representing The Aliveness Project.

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Tom Genty (left) and Scott Schlaffman (right), representing The Aliveness Project, talk to Leather Santa (Angel Rodriguez, Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2005).

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Representing The Aliveness Project, left to right, are Tom Genty, Scott Schlaffman and Bill Schlichting.

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Members of the Knights of Leather.

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Members of Minnesota Storm Patrol.

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Bruce Gohr, of the Black Guard of Minneapolis, and Sam McLean flank Dot Trevis of North Star Gay Rodeo Association.

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Leather Santa (Angel Rodriguez, Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2005) shows Black Guard member Bruce Gohr what happens to bad boys.