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By Donna Sachet\u2014<\/p>\n
When\u00a0Barbara Richmond\u00a0and\u00a0Peggy Ermet\u00a0each lost their sons to the AIDS pandemic, they resolved to turn their grief into action, forming the Richmond\/Ermet Aid Foundation (REAF) with the loving help of friends\u00a0Ken Henderson\u00a0and\u00a0Joe Seiler.\u00a0With the rolodexes of both sons in hand, full of entertainers\u2019 contact information, the Richmond\/Ermet Aid Foundation began to bring major talent to San Francisco for musical performances to benefit various charitable causes. Thirty-two years later,\u00a0Help is on the Way\u00a0continues to attract enthusiastic audiences for crowd-pleasing shows throughout the year, including their most recent one on August 2, 2026, at the Marines\u2019 Memorial Theatre.<\/p>\n
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Donna celebrates \u201cLeather Season\u201d by hosting a brunch with
friends each year. On September 24, 2003, she received a
proclamation of appreciation from State Senator Scott Wiener as
friends, including Sister Roma, looked on.
PHOTO BY GARY VIRGINIA<\/p>\n
Help Is on the Way XXXII: Broadway & Beyond\u00a0brought together members of the traveling cast of\u00a0Beauty & the Beast\u00a0and a number of San Francisco favorites for a delightful evening of music and caring. The night started with some well-deserved praise for long-time Board member\u00a0Sophie Asaoaou,\u00a0including from Lieutenant Governor\u00a0Eleni Kounalakis\u00a0on behalf of Governor\u00a0Gavin Newsom\u00a0and State Treasurer\u00a0Fiona Ma,\u00a0and recognition of other supportive sponsors and board members.\u00a0Then members of the cast of\u00a0Beauty & The Beast,\u00a0on their one night off from regular performances, presented solos, duets, and group production numbers that had the audience roaring.\u00a0 They really threw their hearts and souls into this show!\u00a0 Other favorites, including David Burnham, Davis Gaines, Lilliana Lili Yang,\u00a0and the dynamic\u00a0Leanne Borghesi, gave wonderful performances as well, all with the excellent support of a talented instrumental ensemble.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
During the brief intermission and a bustling reception with the cast afterwards at the Hotel Beacon Grand, we grabbed our escort\u00a0Jack Garcia\u00a0to catch up with so many friends, including\u00a0Jeff Doney & Adam Thier, Gary Virginia, Brent Marek, Doug Waggener, Ben Wong & Fred Giron, Larry Horowitz, fellow Bay Times columnist Beth Schnitzer, Cameron Stiehl, Gary Thackeray, Joel Goodrich, John Newmeyer, Patrik Gallineaux\u00a0visiting from Florida,\u00a0Jim Neuman from Palm Springs, and to our great surprise and delight\u00a0Daru Kawalkowski,\u00a0looking as fabulous as ever!<\/p>\n
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Following intermission, popular auctioneer\u00a0Lenny Broberg\u00a0from Palm Springs returned for the night to goad the audience to bid on several items as well as simply offering generous gifts in support of the night. All proceeds benefit the special emergency grants fund of REAF and Project Open Hand.\u00a0Lenny\u2019s special technique, combining humor and local knowledge, along with a reading of some letters of appreciation from former recipients of REAF assistance, elicited very generous bids all around.<\/p>\n
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Donna Sachet and her dog Peanut were photographed with a
vista of the Golden Gate Bridge on September 22, 2023.
(PHOTO BY RANDELL WHITEHEAD)<\/p>\n
The show ended, as all previous\u00a0Help Is on the Way\u00a0shows have ended, with the entire cast joining on stage to sing\u00a0\u201cHelp Is on the Way,\u201d\u00a0written by\u00a0David Friedman.\u00a0The lyrics of the song perfectly reflect the organization that has delivered on that promise of help for those in need for decades.\u00a0REAF presents other periodic shows during the year and, like so many groups, they are always looking for new supporters, so keep an eye out and don\u2019t miss a single one!<\/p>\n
Donna\u00a0Sachet\u00a0is a celebrated performer, fundraiser, activist, and philanthropist who has dedicated over two decades to the LGBTQ Community in San Francisco. Contact her at\u00a0empsachet@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n Calendar a\/la Sachet<\/p>\n Friday, August 14
Therapy
Mr. Imperial Leather Matty Zamora\u2019s fundraiser
Benefiting Queer Lifespace
Lonestar Saloon,
1354 Harrison Street
5\u20138 pm Free!
www.imperialcouncilsf.org<\/a><\/p>\n