History

2007 | The Farha Foundation Celebrates its 15th year, and unveils its new red ribbon/heart logo.

The Farha Foundation Celebrates its 15th year, and unveils its new red ribbon/heart logo. ÇA MARCHE celebrates its 15th annual walkathon with the aid of the past presidents Eirini Demetelin, Sam Pelc and Harvey Cohen who join the Honorary President, Evelyn Farha, to cut the ribbon. AU CŒUR DE LA MODE celebrates its 20th edition. The Honorary President, Evelyn Farha, is awarded the Gala Phenicia Soutien à la Diversité by the Gay Chamber of Commerce of Quebec.

2006 | AU CŒUR DE LA MODE’s 18th edition is thrilled by the presence of Lulu Hughes as honorary spokesperson.

AU CŒUR DE LA MODE’s 18th edition is thrilled by the presence of Lulu Hughes as honorary spokesperson. Vélo pour la Vie enlists 15 courageous cyclists to ride the 620 km to Quebec City in 6 days to raise $36,000.00 for the Farha Foundation.

2005 | AU CŒUR DE LA MODE has a record year.

AU CŒUR DE LA MODE has a record year. Many people rallied for the cause, hosting numerous 3rd party events on behalf of the Farha Foundation Dr. Mark A Wainberg is one of the recipients honoured at HEROES NIGHT for his tireless efforts against AIDS.

2004 | Farha Foundation joins Canfar with the SPRING for LIFE campaign.

Farha Foundation joins Canfar with the SPRING for LIFE campaign. Black Tie Bingo moves from the Casino to the Centre Mont-Royal and goes MASKARADE with its most successful edition thanks to its Honorary Co-Presidents Donald and Ann Tarlton. HEROES NIGHT is a touching success with two of the recipients being Dancer and choreographer, Margie Gillis who artistically lends her name to help the fight against AIDS and Québec pioneer in the fight against AIDS, Dr. Réjean Thomas.

2003 | The 13th edition of AU CŒUR DE LA MODE

The 13th edition of AU CŒUR DE LA MODE is honoured to have Quebec designer, Yves-Jean Lacasse of Envers, as spokesperson for the event. The Farha Foundation teams with Toronto People with AIDS Foundation with the Défi Vèlo event, a six day bike ride, Toronto to Montreal.

2002 | AU CŒUR DE LA MODE doubles up

AU CŒUR DE LA MODE doubles up – an autumn edition is added for the first time! Both 2002 editions attract over 18,000 people and $350,000 is raised! It is also the 10th anniversary of ÇA MARCHE. All along the walk, scenes depicting the fight against AIDS remind participants of the necessity to raise funds and walk. This year, the Farha Foundation hits the 5 million dollar mark!

2001 | Over 8,000 people turn out to shop at AU CŒUR DE LA MODE

Over 8,000 people turn out to shop at AU CŒUR DE LA MODE and over 4,500 dine out for RUBANS & RESTAURANTS. ÇA MARCHE returns to a daytime format and under sunny skies over 20,000 people walk helping to raise over $532,000. The ELTON JOHN Foundation gives the Farha Foundation a lending hand, donating money for education and prevention programs.

2000 | AU CŒUR DE LA MODE and RUBANS & RESTAURANTS

AU CŒUR DE LA MODE and RUBANS & RESTAURANTS continue to grow both in terms of popularity and dollars raised. Notwithstanding the rain, close to 20,000 people turn out for the first night time edition of ÇA MARCHE and once again the event raises over $500,000.

1999 | RUBANS & RESTAURANTS grows to 110 participating restaurants

RUBANS & RESTAURANTS grows to 110 participating restaurants and now includes Quebec City - over 4,500 people dine out. As a result of a poignant campaign focused on the reality of living with HIV/AIDS and triple therapy, the objective is reached, under sunny skies, 25,000 walkers jam the streets of downtown for the 7th edition of ÇA MARCHE. For the first time in Canadian history the AIDS Quilt is displayed outdoors, 750 balloons strung with 3,488 red ribbons (one for every person who has died of AIDS in Quebec) are released into the sky to end the millennium and over $500,000 is raised. Céline Dion and René Angelil show their support for the cause and donate $100,000 to the Farha Foundation. A BLACK TIE gala in honour of Dr. Mark Wainberg goes BINGO and raises over $140,000. Evelyn Farha, Honorary President of the Foundation, is awarded the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award.

1998 | The second annual AIDS D'AMOUR ET DE DANSE is staged

The second annual AIDS D'AMOUR ET DE DANSE is staged. The Gazette says “Montreal dance doesn't get any better”. AU CŒUR DE LA MODE moves to new heights - the heart of fashion and fundraising. People seem to have become complacent with respect to the cause. Only 15,000 people attend ÇA MARCHE, nonetheless the Farha Foundation has distributed over $3.2 million since its inception making it the leading AIDS fundraising organization in Quebec.

1997 | Two new events, RUBANS & RESTAURANTS and D'AMOUR ET DE DANSE, are born!

Two new events, RUBANS & RESTAURANTS and D'AMOUR ET DE DANSE, are born! Over 4,000 people dine out for the Farha Foundation on April 9th and 550 contemporary dance fanatics pack the Centre Pierre-Péladeau for an evening of dance never before seen on the stage in Montreal! Triple therapy is the new AIDS treatment strategy, many people confuse hope with victory and as a result less walkers (18,000) turn out for ÇA MARCHE.

1996 | 30,000 walkers take part in ÇA MARCHE

30,000 walkers take part in ÇA MARCHE, making it the biggest AIDS Walk in Canada among over 70 participating cities! More than 45 AIDS organizations in Quebec benefit from the funds raised. The Farha Foundation has distributed $1.5 million. LE RUBAN EN ROUTE, the AIDS education and prevention program in schools funded and housed by the Farha Foundation since 1994, is now on its own! Over 19,000 students were involved in the first 6 months alone!

1995 | The Foundation pays homage to Margie Gillis

The Foundation pays homage to Margie Gillis for her many years of terrific support in the fight against AIDS. AU CŒUR DE LA MODE, sponsored by Smirnoff, raises $165,000 and the Farha Foundation participates in the National Strategy Meeting for Private Sector Funding. We hit the 1,000 volunteer mark! ÇA MARCHE moves to Lafontaine Park. During the last three years over $1,000,000 has been distributed by the Farha Foundation to fund outpatient direct care services and AIDS education and prevention programs.

1994 | As the devastation from AIDS grows, so do the armies of volunteers and donors

As the devastation from AIDS grows, so do the armies of volunteers and donors. The fashion industry organizes AU CŒUR DE LA MODE, selling over 12,000 donated garments and raising over $100,000. The Jackie Simard Roast, Literally Hilarious and Les Soldats de l'Espérance come onto the scene. The Farha Foundation spearheads the creation of a National Walk Coordinating Committee and 24 cities across Canada walk on October 2nd. With the help of 18,000 walkers, ÇA MARCHE raises $626,000 for 40 Quebec organizations. Businesses and schools form ÇA MARCHE teams and our generous host, Dorchester Square, is bursting at the seams from the size of the event.

1993 | The year begins with ROCK'N RIBBON

The year begins with ROCK'N RIBBON, the media treasure hunt, the Anne Klein Fashion show and COMEDY WITH A CAUSE. Ron dies on July 12th and his longtime friend, Eirini Demetelin, takes over as president of the Farha Foundation. ÇA MARCHE is born! 8,000 caring men, women and children from throughout Quebec, a plethora of Quebec personalities and 600 volunteers walk together in the streets of downtown Montreal in a display of compassion, courage and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. $478,000 is raised! The success fuels hope for the 30 community organizations which received the badly needed funding, but the demands placed upon the Foundation for even more funds, continue to grow.

1992 | When Ron Farha launches the Farha Foundation

When Ron Farha launches the Farha Foundation, there's not a single existing agency devoted mainly to raising funds to improve the quality of health care for persons with HIV/AIDS in Quebec. In that first year, helped by close and committed friends, the Foundation raises $60,000. It is the year of the Niky Papachristidis Roast!