In 1988, a holiday tradition was born during the height of the AIDS epidemic when a founding member of the Boston Living Center, Peter Daniel Clark, and a group of friends living with HIV/AIDS came together for a modest meal to celebrate another year of life. Each year the tradition has grown to include more members of the HIV/AIDS community for a sumptuous holiday gathering at the Hynes Convention Center.

On November 20, 2018, amid the glamorous backdrop of the sumptuously decorated ballroom at the Hynes Convention Center, members of the Greater Boston HIV/AIDS community gathered with friends and loved ones to continue a tradition dating back 30 years, the annual Celebration of Life Thanksgiving Dinner; nearly 600 guests in all. Originally a humble gathering of friends living with the as-yet-unknown disease back in 1988, the dinner serves as both a reminder of those lost to the epidemic and an opportunity for those who continue to survive, and strive to thrive, despite serious illness. This year's event featured entertainment by DJ Ollie, Woza Moya, and World Premier Band, a resource fair with more than 30 presenting organizations and community groups, a traditional sit-down Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings including delectable pies donated by Community Servings, and guest gifts containing winter gear donated by Bank of America, Building Impact, Temple Beth Avodah, and United Way. Each year, tables at the event are set with lavish, one-of-a-kind centerpieces donated by generous and talented individuals, businesses, and community groups and when the doors open, guests are greeted by dedicated volunteers ready to help them to their tables and see to their needs during the meal.

The event also serves as the largest fundraiser of the year for Victory Programs' Boston Living Center, New England's largest community and resource center for people living with HIV/AIDS which offers members hot meals five days a week in addition to other vital services like peer support, wellness resources, workshops, and more. Although the event is free to anyone living with HIV/AIDS, and up to two guests, corporate partners, individual donors, volunteer fundraisers, and community partners give generously of their time, money, and resources. This year's Presenting Sponsor, Walgreens, also offered flu shots for guests during the resource fair and sent a team of volunteers to help serve dinner. The event has already raised more than $135,000 for the Boston Living Center, with additional donations expected in the coming weeks.

The Celebration of Life includes the presentation of two awards, the Peter Daniel Clark Award named for the founder of the Celebration of Life, who passed away due to AIDS-related complications in 1992 and presented by his sisters, Debbie Fellman and Roseanne Clark; and the Brenda Bellizeare "BIG" Better it Gets Award presented to a member of the Boston Living Center selected by the membership at the Center.

2018 Peter Daniel Clark Award: Dawn Fukuda, Director of the Office of HIV/AIDS at the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Science at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Dawn has made working to end the spread of HIV/AIDS her life's work. Prior to working at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Dawn worked for AIDS Action Committee and Jordan Hospital. She has a long history of advocacy work and of promoting prevention services. Dawn maintains strong relationship with members of the community, providers, and advocates working to shed light on the current state of HIV/AIDS in the Commonwealth.

2018 Brenda Bellizeare "BIG" Better it Gets Award: Wilson Valencia, Boston Living Center Member
The recipient of the Brenda Bellizeare "BIG" Better it Gets Award is selected by members of the Boston Living Center from their peers to honor someone who's personal journey has been an inspiration to others and who has shown a commitment to continuing that journey. Wilson was selected by his fellow members for his helpful nature, positive outlook, and welcoming personality.

The Celebration of Life relies on more than 200 volunteers, including special "TIPS" Servers who also engage in peer-to-peer fundraising with a minimum goal of $300 each leading up to the event and notable "VIP" Servers including elected officials, community leaders, and long-time agency friends. This year's notable volunteers included, but are not limited to: