Today, EJAF is one of the world's leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Together, both entities have raised over $150 million to support such programs in 55 countries around the globe since inception. EJAF supports its work through proceeds from concerts, arts-related exhibitions, and special events; cause-related marketing projects and licensed merchandising; and voluntary contributions (large and small) from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
EJAF-US's grant-making supports programs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. EJAF-UK focuses its grant making on projects in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Without question, EJAF's greatest asset and strength is its Founder and Chairman, Sir Elton John. No mere figurehead, Sir Elton serves as EJAF's chief fund-raiser - conducting benefit concerts, meeting with major donors, foundations and corporations, and participating in numerous public events. Also, as a highly visible and outspoken advocate, he has testified before Congress, spoken at press conferences, writes editorials and delivers speeches at events and awards ceremonies. His status as an entertainment icon and his many years as a dedicated AIDS activist and philanthropist bring tremendous visibility and credibility to EJAF's work.
For information on grant-making and fund-raising activities conducted by EJAF-US, please visit www.ejaf.org. For information on grant-making and fund-raising conducted by EJAF-UK, please visit www.ejaf.com.
There are no confirmed Lunch Around The World events to announce at present.
Report on the Second Lunch Around the World Israel, ahead of Elton’s June 17, 2010 concert in Tel Aviv.
Many thanks to Ronen Gorden from Israel who arranged his second LATW event. Here is his report: "From the time the news announced that Elton would be performing in Israel, my family and I have been preparing for this night. We prepared for the event by arranging a very special LATW event two days before the show in the Saloona Bar in downtown Tel Aviv. It was indeed a very special and unique night for all. We thought we would have about 120 fans but, in the end, we had over 200 fans from all over Israel attending. "We had six different bands or singers who performed thirteen of Elton's songs, and a barrage of Elton items for sale and auction. We had a costume competition of the best Elton look-alike in the crowd. We concluded the event by doing a sing-along to Your Song - my daughter was on the piano, my son on the drums, a friend on guitar, and five fans including me singing, with all the audience joining us! "We raised nearly $3,000. I want to thank Marian from New Jersey, USA, for donating a framed autographed Smash Hits racket club to our event for which alone we raised $800! The event was so famous in Israel that the major radio and TV channels sent crews to cover the event and showed it in prime time. So now everyone in Israel knows about EJAF and LATW! "We enjoyed the evening very much. Elton can be proud he has so many dedicated fans in Israel." Ronen from Tel Aviv, Israel"I saw the publication at eltonjohn.com about the Lunch Around The World event we had in Israel including the picture of us singing Your Song. I have to say it made really happy! I think the Lunch Around The World event we had in Israel was really great! Ronen did a remarkable job in putting up the event, bringing the people, raising the money and all. I am happy I got to meet Ronen and work with him for this event! "I became a big Elton John fan in 1992 after the concert he did in Barcelona, which was broadcasted live and released after in VHS/DVD. I remember I was amazed by Elton's piano playing, and started playing piano by ear. I was very much influenced by Elton, his music and piano playing. Today, I am able to play many of Elton songs and I really do enjoy playing and singing Elton's music! "I wanted to give you some of feeling of the good energy we had in this event, so I prepared some clips I uploaded on YouTube. The first one, here, is a ten-minute clip of the highlights from the whole event (I am singing Daniel). The second one, here, is the full version of us singing Your Song (from the photo published at eltonjohn.com). "The concert Elton John did in Israel was simply great! I listen to Elton for many years. I heard many live performances he did during his career. Elton really gave a magnificent concert here in Israel! The crowd LOVED him. I bought the live recording of this concert. It's a great souvenir. Particularly in this concert I listen to the audience as well. It feels like his favorite crowd in Madison Square Garden - Elton simply gave nothing less than his BEST! The reviews were all great of the concert. I really hope we will have the opportunity of having Elton performing again in Israel next year." Yoav from Israel
Report on the Fifth Annual Lunch Around the World, Boston Style: A Tribute to Elton, featuring Gerald Brann and Yellow Brick Road at Showcase Live, Foxboro, MA on May 15, 2010.
Debbie Piemonte has arranged five LATW events in the Boston, USA area. Her fifth event, held in May, was a concert by Elton tribute band 'Yellow Brick Road'. Here is her report: "I am extremely honored that Showcase Live, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA, provided their state of the art venue along with their incredible assistance on the event. It was amazing to see tickets for 'Lunch Around The World Boston Style' being sold on Ticketmaster. It was wonderful that we had such amazing support and coverage from the areas local newspaper.s and it was very appreciated. It was fantastic to have Boston's WROR FM promoting the event on the air and to have their street team at the event holding trivia and giving away prizes. Our guest host was WROR's Julie Devereaux, and we were thrilled to have her and she did an amazing job."The outpouring of support throughout businesses in Foxboro and the surrounding communities was incredible and so appreciated. The list of items for raffle and auction was extensive, from Boston area hotels and shows, to local hotels and local restaurants, sporting events and signed memorabilia by past and present members of the Elton John band, and much more. The highlight of the evening was Elton's stunning silk Versace shirt donated by eltonjohn.com, and a beautiful signed Tom Brady shirt donated by Robert Kraft himself!
"Yellow Brick Road put on yet another outstanding show, and the crowd showed their appreciation - cheering loudly and dancing at their tables and in the aisles as Gerald Brann and his very talented band paid an outstanding tribute to Elton. They played one hit after another, with Gerald emulating Elton brilliantly and making everyone in the room feel as though they'd just had an amazing Elton experience while helping Elton in the fight against AIDS. It was a night which will be remembered for a very long while! Debbie from Foxboro, USAReport on the Second Annual Lunch Around the World in Camp Verde, Arizona, USA, hosted by the United Methodist Church of Camp Verde, September 26, 2009.
Many thanks to Cat Sampson from Arizona who arranged her second LATW event, in association with the United Methodist Church. Here is her report: “It was a beautiful Indian Summer day in Arizona. We held a Dutch Oven and barbecue cookout at the City of Camp Verde Ramada, directed by Bill Stafford. Jim Stowell started the event with the blessings, reminding us that our community is the whole world, and everyone is concerned with its issues. He thanked all of us for participating in the fight against AIDS and supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation. “75 people attended, the food was cooked to perfection, and as usual, there was plenty of it. Some visitors from California who were walking by joined us, attracted by the delicious smell of the apple and cherry cobblers cooking in the Dutch Ovens. Before dessert, Kathy Donner, with the Arizona Department of Health, talked about the persistent existence of the AIDS stigma, and gave us statistics on the development of the disease. After dessert, Fran Stowell gave the silent auction results. “This year all the food was donated by the United Methodist Church of Camp Verde members and additional volunteers. We collected $3000 for EJAF, and an additional $250 donated by the Kiwanis Club of Beaver Creek Arizona. “I would like to express my special thanks to the United Methodist Church of Camp Verde, all its members for their active participation and donations, and to Bill Stafford and his volunteers for his hard work and well organized Dutch Oven meals.”
