Big Mike's 20th Annual Birthday Fundraiser:

Dear friends,

Regardless of where you live - please consider making a donation via this Go-Fund Me to help make a positive difference and save lives!

FOR THE PRICE OF A CUP OF COFFEE, LUNCH OR DINNER YOU CAN HELP CHANGE A LIFE. WILL YOU PLEASE HELP SUPPORT MY CAUSE?

I am so blessed to live, work and play in a community that is full of love, kindness, and generosity. I moved to San Diego from San Antonio back in 1989 to be with my best friend Tino Graziano who was in the midst of dying of AIDS. The love and care of our LGBT community and a few HIV/ AIDS organizations were here to help my best friend die in comfort with dignity, love, and compassion but most of all as a human being. I lost Tino 3 months after I moved to San Diego. It was at that moment that I made a promise to myself to do whatever I could to give back to these organizations that were here for my best friend. Now I want to continue with your help all the different organizations to continue their amazing work for humanity.

I enthusiastically invite you to help give back and celebrate 20 years of LOVE, COMPASSION, AND GENEROSITY. If you could please find it in your heart to join me in helping make a difference in hundreds if not thousands of lives that will benefit and even save lives from your involvement. I would be so honored if you would help us reach our goal by donating any amount your heart will allow. My good friend Tino said to me over 40 years ago, ”If you don't ask for help sometimes you get overlooked” So I’m asking in hopes that you will not overlook this great cause and be a part of our family that has been here to make such a positive difference over these last 20 years.

Throughout the years I did what I could to raise money even starting a couple of 501C charities which were all very successful. It wasn’t until 1998 that I decided to use my birthday to create charitable events for different organizations.

2018 is a big year for me.  It will be my 20th year of gathering my friends, customers, community members, supporters, local, state, and national leaders for a good cause and a FUN party! Together we have joined to help raise tens of thousands of much needed dollars that have been distributed to over 50 different organizations.

For my 20th year, I have a 20/20 vision to celebrate the efforts of the people who have donated their hard earned money, volunteered, given  food, printing, and donated their space to hold the event.   Every effort into this annual event is 100% donated- that that 100% One percent of every dime that is donated goes directly to the charities chosen every year.

This year I am striving to reach a goal of $20,000+, to be divided with the Matthew Sheppard Foundation and Imperial Court de San Diego - Florence Elementary School Fund.

This year past year marked the 20th year since his violent and horrible senseless murder. Judy and Dennis Sheppard have become friends of mine over the years and I have held previous fundraisers for their organization. The Matthew Shepard Foundation empowers individuals to embrace human dignity and diversity through outreach, advocacy, and resource programs. They strive to replace hate with understanding, compassion, and acceptance.

For more information please check out their website. https://www.matthewshepard.org.

A few years ago, the Imperial Court de San Diego adopted Florence Elementary School. This elementary school is in the heart of our Hillcrest community and they need your help. Florence is a designated Title 1 school, which means over 85% of our students are on free lunch and are from high-poverty backgrounds. Approximately 260 students attend the school. In light of state budget cuts, financial support from local businesses, local community, and parents, have become essential to allow our school to offer the many educational resources that would otherwise be unavailable to our students e.g., health & nutrition, music, art, additional educators, computer classes, physical education coaches, and library services. Your donation will be used to provide these programs to our beloved school.

The Court helps throughout the year by supplying backpacks for every student.  They also created Omar’s Closet which is filled with everything from toiletries, clothes, shoes, and things they need most. The school does not have a website but the PTA Facebook link is https://www.facebook.com/Florence-Elementary-PTA-1206609289355299/

In the past, these birthday Fundraiser attendance is usually 300 to 400 people. Your attendance and donation is the perfect gift we can share together on January 19, 2019, @Rich’s Nightclub 1051 University Ave, San Diego, Ca. 92103, from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Please join me in memory of my friend Tino Graziano.

With love and community,

Big Mike Phillips.