Dear friends and family,

As of this writing, a record sixteen hundred room nights have been reserved at The Fort Lauderdale Airport Hilton. Our overflow hotel, The Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel is located directly across the street (954-920-3500) and those rooming there will be receiving the same benefits as those at the host hotel. Free shuttles run to/from the airport and between both hotels.

This year we've got a new DJ, DJRob from Nashville Tennessee and we're hosting a Pajama jamma-Jam Party Saturday night from 2100-2400. Prizes will be awarded! So bring your favorite PJ's! (ACOF Rules Of Conduct will apply!)

Also, we will also have a free Shuttle running continuously from 1800 to 2400 from our host hotel to our sponsors in Wilton Manor, Tropics, etc . . .Thursday thru Sunday nights.

At the A Celebration Of Friends weekend while we're committed to ensuring you enjoy the greatest weekend of your year, we will have a bit of business to discuss:

As you're aware, each year, we raise funds for local South Florida charities! Then, at the end of each Celebration, we'd gather all the monies together, less expenses and give it all away . . .like releasing pigeons from their cage.

We've been working with some really great charities, Tuesdays Angels, Haulover Beach and The Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Now while these are all worthy charities, it seems there should be a better way for our Family at the Celebration to get more bang for our buck.

My lover 'The Colonel" recently lost his battle with Alzheimer's Disease. This traumatic experience has forced me to look at the health care issues of the mature gay man with a new set of eyes.

Because of the type of life we're forced to live; many of us will be alone during our golden years. Where will we go? What will we do to preserve our little grace and dignity when that time comes?

My friends, I consider each member of the A Celebration Of Friends Family, my true family!

What I am proposing to you is that while it is good for us to be releasing pigeons, it's also good to keep some of the birds home to to roost!

I've assigned a committee chairman to research and develop what it would take for the A Celebration Of Friends Inc. to set up a foundation to build or maintain a Community/Co-op/Group Home of some sort to keep our Family members together during their vulnerable years. We have to start small but every journey begins with small steps . . . .

We will have a volunteer meeting on this during the Celebration.

If you have any knowledge or info that may be of assistance. . .please share it with me at:
tomcat9722@aol.com

Any help at all would greatly be appreciated!!!

Lots & Lots Of Love,
Tomcat
WE ARE LEGION!!! . . .AND FAMILY!!!