Since the mid-1980's, Elton John has channeled the grief over the loss of many dear friends to HIV/AIDS into various efforts to help raise money for charitable organizations supporting AIDS research and providing vital services to people with HIV/AIDS. In 1992, frustrated and angered by the growing magnitude of the epidemic and how comparatively little was being done to help those affected by the virus, he decided to bring focus to all of his AIDS-related work by establishing the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in the United States (EJAF-US, registered in New York). The following year, he also established this foundation in the United Kingdom (EJAF-UK, registered in London).

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.

  In December 2001, eltonjohn.com received an Email suggesting an annual charity event to support EJAF. The message was from Nancy Case, and in March 2002 she hosted the first ever Lunch Around The World (LATW) event. Her concept was simple but splendid: get together with your friends around the time of Elton's birthday and raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The idea appealed to many of Elton's fans around the world, and since then LATW has grown and grown. eltonjohn.com and the EJAF thank everyone who has organised, attended or contributed to these events. We are especially grateful to Nancy for thinking up the idea, for hosting her own events and for maintaining an LATW overview, and to all the other LATW organisers from all around the world. So far the fantastic sum of over $214,000 has been raised through LATW events and given directly to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

If you would like to host an event in your country and raise money for the EJAF, please contact Editor@website.eltonjohn.com. We encourage you to start with a small event, have some fun and raise money for this important cause. Then if you and your friends enjoy it you can hold another event next year!

Here are the confirmed Lunch Around the World events that are set to happen later this year. If you can get to one of these events do contact the organisers - they would love to hear from you!

Saturday, May 15, 2010 
"LATW Boston Style 2010"
featuring Gerald Brann & Yellow Brick Road at Showcase Live, Patriot Place, Foxboro, Massachusetts.
For further information please contact Debbie: info@bostonlatw.org or visit her website.

Report 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.”

Report on the Fourth Annual Lunch Around the World, Boston Style: A Tribute to Elton, featuring Gerald Brann and Yellow Brick Road at the Regent Theater Arlington, Mass, October 17, 2009.  

Debbie Piemonte continued her determined fund-raising for the EJAF with another concert and silent auction in Boston. This was her fourth LATW event, and here is her report:

“The October 17 "Lunch Around the World, Boston Style: A Tribute to Elton," which was held at the Regent Theatre in Arlington was a resounding success. More than 200 guests attended the Saturday night event, raising more than $2,400 for the EJAF.

“For the third year in a row, Augusta Maine-based Gerald Brann and Yellow Brick Road performed and, as usual, put on an amazing show that had guests on their feet and dancing in the aisles to such rockin’ numbers as Philadelphia Freedom and I’m Still Standing.

“In addition to offering a full Elton John experience, the event featured a special guest appearance by American Idol’s Ayla Brown, who, accompanied by Tyler Matte on guitar, was a hit with the crowd. Massachusetts State Senator Scott Brown was the guest Master of Ceremonies, and did a great job. Perhaps the most moving moment of the night was when Senator Brown called for a moment of silence in memory of Guy Babylon and Robert Key.

“A special thank you to Gerald Brann and his band for their continued support of this very worthwhile cause, and for sharing their talents with us. Thank you, also, to my family – my husband Mike and sons Justin and Jeremy – to Leland Stein and everyone at the Regent Theatre, to Senator Brown, Ayla Brown, and Tyler Matte. Special thanks also to Cassandra Sullivan, event photographer, website master, and guide creator, and to Juliet Pennington for her many hours of help with obtaining and coordinating event volunteers, writing and editing publicity materials, and, with Susan “Gina” Krasney-Carey, making gift baskets for the raffle and auction items. Thank you to Sean Campbell and Scott Soly for their help with the silent auction and continued support, and to all volunteers and other members of the LATW event team. Thanks to Anthony Ventarola for helping with the event guide, to all of the businesses that donated items for the raffle and silent auction, and to eltonjohn.com for its guidance and support of this event.

“LATW Boston Style 2010 will be May 15th at Showcase Live!”

Report on the Second Annual Orlando Lunch Around the World 2009.  

Due to unforeseen personal circumstances, Mary Mitchell from Florida was sadly unable to go ahead with her planned event. However, amazingly, Mary still managed to raise $2300 for the EJAF from local supporters! This is a fantastic achievement and we are very grateful to Mary for persevering in this way. She still hopes to reschedule the event during 2010.

Gus Dudgeon, who died on 21st July, 2002 aged 59, was an outstandingly talented record producer best known for his phenomenally successful collaboration with Elton John.

In 2002, following his untimely death, it was decided that Gus’s extraordinary standards in both music production and genuine loving helpfulness should live on in the form of The Gus Dudgeon Foundation For Recording Arts. Following this announcement, Elton John agreed to be its Patron.

The Gus Dudgeon Foundation has been formed to preserve and promote the techniques of recording and production exemplified in Gus’s outstanding career and to give students from all walks of life the opportunity to learn and pass on these skills for future generations.

To learn more about the Gus Dudgeon Foundation, please visit the Web site here.