Special Delivery San Diego, an all-volunteer, free, home-delivered meal service for people with AIDS in San Diego, received a record-setting total of donations from visitors to this year’s City Fest street fair in Hillcrest, which took place Aug. 13.

“From this one-day event, the donations we received will help to provide almost 800 meals for our sick clients with AIDS in San Diego,” said Ruth Henricks, Special Delivery executive director. “There were many very big-hearted people at City Fest. The volunteers who manned our booth were overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who donated money throughout the day.”

Founded in 1991, Special Delivery prepares, packages and delivers meals daily to more than 130 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in San Diego. Since its inception, the agency has served more than 1 million meals to approximately 2,800 people with AIDS in San Diego.

For more information or for volunteer opportunities, call (619) 297-7373.

The Center’s Latino/a Services Latin LGBT Pride music fest, “Pachanga de Orgullo,” will take place on Saturday, Aug. 26, on the lawn of the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.

This year’s Latin Pride will feature dancing, live music and guest DJs spinning salsa, merengue and other Latin dance music.

“This Latin music fest is a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the diversity and influence of San Diego’s international LGBT Latino/a community,” said Carolina Ramos, coordinator of The Center’s Latino/a Services. “I hope everyone will join us for this amazing and welcoming event that we are certain will be an evening to remember.”

A limited number of tickets are available for Pachanga de Orgullo. Tickets are $15 and are available online at http://latinpride06.kintera.org through Aug. 25. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door on the day of the event. Food and beverage tickets will be sold separately.

Proceeds will support The Center’s Latino/a Services Program, which provides coordinated case management, counseling and support groups to help hundreds of individuals and families each year.

Sponsors of Pachanga de Orgullo include Citibank, Corazon de Agave and Miller Lite (Mesa Distributing).

For more information, call Sarafina Scapicchio at (619) 692-2077 ext. 247 or e-mail sscapicchio@thecentersd.org.

The Downtown YMCA will hold the first annual “Summer Night on the Midway” fund-raising event on Friday, Aug. 25, from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. on the USS Midway. All proceeds support the Downtown YMCA youth outreach programs.

The YMCA, a nonprofit organization, has a variety of programs designed to help at-risk youth, including the Monarch School physical education program, after-school programs, middle school career luncheons, day camps, resident camps and the PRYDE program.

The PRYDE (Prevention, Recreation, YMCA, Diversion and Education) program is designed to help kids steer away from violence, gangs and drugs. Last year, 2,500 boys and girls went to one of three resident camps, and 20,000 went to day camp at one of the 13 YMCA branches around the county.

“This is very exciting. We’re extremely pleased that we have the opportunity to have this event downtown on the longest-serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Navy history, 47 years. This event will enable us to raise the funds necessary to further our primary mission of providing necessary services to San Diego’s youth and others in need,” said Robert Noble, Downtown YMCA board chair.

The cost is $110 per person, which includes a catered dinner, guided tours, interactive storytelling and displays. Live entertainment will be featured, and Carol LeBeau of Channel 10 News will be the honorary event chair.

The Downtown YMCA has been serving the local community for almost 125 years, offering a variety of sports, fitness, healthy-lifestyle programs and free “fitness for life” classes for seniors.

“There is so much energy downtown and so many people searching for a community – a place to belong where everyone knows your name. This is what we have here at the Downtown YMCA,” executive director Daniel Duncan said. “And as we continue to give to our community, the community gives back to us.”

The Downtown YMCA is located at 500 West Broadway, Suite B, and is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information, call (619) 232-7451.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego (GMCSD) will kick off its holiday season with an information night on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 7:00 p.m. Open rehearsals will then be conducted on Sept. 6, 13 and 20 for those who are unable to attend the information night. Interested singers as well as non-singers who want to join the Gay Men’s Chorus are welcome to attend.

GMCSD’s holiday season features two all-new productions of the audience favorite “Nutcracker – Men in Tights!” These concerts will be performed at the Sherwood Auditorium in La Jolla on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16 and 17.

The information night is dedicated to welcoming potential new members and will take place at GMCSD’s regular rehearsal space inside the University Christian Church, located at 3900 Cleveland Ave. Those who attend will have the opportunity to find out about the GMCSD, meet current members and hear samples of their sounds.

The GMCSD recently presented a pair of summer concerts entitled “An American in Paris” and “Bang! Bang! The Music of Cher” to more than 1,000 audience members.

“Interest in membership is now at an all-time high following these concerts,” GMCSD director of membership Michael McKibben said. “Not only are potential members excited about singing with the Gay Men’s Chorus, but they are also realizing how much fun we have together. There are always various social events for members to participate in to just relax, unwind and meet new friends.”

Lovel Waiters has joined The Center’s board of directors.

Waiters previously served as co-chair of the Ebony Pride board of directors and has been an active volunteer with several San Diego area organizations, including Rolling Readers, St. Vincent de Paul and READ San Diego. She has also been a volunteer with The Center’s Women’s Resource Center and has facilitated the women’s writing group.

“We are thrilled to have Lovel Waiters join The Center’s board of directors,” said Todd Gloria, board chair. “She brings a real understanding of nonprofit organizations and experienced knowledge regarding the importance of collaborative community organizing. We are grateful that Lovel will dedicate her time and talent to our organization and we look forward to her contributions to The Center as we continue to work for all LGBT San Diegans.”

Waiters has been honored for her community service with Ebony Pride and was named Woman of the Year by the National Council of Negro Women.

The annual meeting of the Lambda Biotechnology Association (LBA) takes place on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the home of Mark Martinez. At this meeting, LBA members will elect the 2006-2007 board of directors, conduct official business and socialize during a barbecue.

LBA will provide hot dogs and burgers (including veggie burgers). The dinner is free for all current LBA members and $5 for nonmembers. Nonalcoholic drinks will be provided. However, attendees are welcome to bring other beverages if they wish.

For more information or to RSVP, e-mail info@lambdabiotech.org.

The San Diego Men’s Chorus (SDMC) is recruiting singers of all abilities.

Open rehearsals take place Monday, Aug. 28, at 6:45 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, located at 625 Pennsylvania Ave.

For more information or to RSVP for an open rehearsal, call (619) 296-SONG or e-mail director@sdmc.org.