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.

DSC_8246

DSC_8247

DSC_8248

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

DSC_8067

PC115190

PC115196

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

PC115202

The evening’s bootblack, David Page.

DSC_8202

DSC_8203

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

PC115264

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

PC115286

PC115291

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

DSC_8239

PC115293

DSC_8240

PC115294

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).

DSC_8097

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.

DSC_8121

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

DSC_8174

DSC_8176

PC115232

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

PC115257

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

DSC_8168

DSC_8169

PC115230

Members of the Knights of Leather.

DSC_8243

PC115295

Members of Minnesota Storm Patrol.

DSC_8092

DSC_8093

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

DSC_8183

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