LOS ANGELES—The American public already knows Jessica Drake as a humanitarian, activist, sex educator and Wicked Pictures contract star, but what they may not know is that she is the leader of Team Wicked, which raised $18,000—placing 7th among all teams—at the 35th Annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles held on October 20 in downtown Los Angeles.
“I am so proud of Team Wicked and all our supporters and donors who came out in force,” said Jessica. “We really felt a strong push this year which demonstrated both dedication and determination to raise needed funds for AIDS and HIV medical and other related services. I am thankful to Ken from APLA, who has enabled us to do our very best this year; I’m grateful to Steve and everyone at Wicked Pictures and Wicked Sensual Care for their constant support and encouragement, and I am impressed with the fundraising efforts of Brad Armstrong this year. To each and every person that showed up and did the walk and attended my birthday brunch, thank you. Showing up is one of the best things we can do for one another. My birthday was the greatest.”
The team, made up of adult industry members and other supporters, raised $18,000, or nearly double last year’s take of $10,000, for Team Wicked, which has been a mainstay at AIDS Walk Los Angeles for seven consecutive years. The new tally increases Team Wicked’s fund-raising total to $133,000 for the annual AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) event which this year gathered more than ten thousand walkers from a variety of companies and organizations to walk the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) course in Downtown Los Angeles.
All proceeds from AIDS Walk Los Angeles will go toward APLA’s health services, which include primary medical care, HIV specialty care, HIV prevention and education programs and more.
Besides serving as team captain, Drake also leads the team in fund-raising, ranking among the top ten overall among ten thousand individual walkers. She is followed by acclaimed director/performer Brad Armstrong who placed in the top twenty walkers.
“Doing AIDS Walk LA always gives such a great sense of accomplishment and feeling good about doing something important for the community and helping those in need,” Armstrong said. “Over the years, we at Wicked have tried to team up with a number of charities to lend our support, but many of them have unfortunately turned us down, citing they can’t be associated with the adult industry and decline our 'dirty porn money.'
“AIDS Walk LA has been the total opposite," he continued. "Their focus is on getting funds to help those in need and building lasting partnerships to make that happen. Over the last seven plus years, they have embraced Team Wicked and treated us as valued supporters. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Teams and walkers are still able to accept donations through November 15, so if readers would still like to donate and support the cause, they may do so here.
“I appreciate and am proud of and support Jessica’s continued efforts to help raise money through AIDS Walk for APLA and do it on behalf of Wicked,” said Steve Orenstein, owner of Wicked Pictures. "Her tireless work does not go unnoticed. While Brad Armstrong has always been involved in this cause too, this year he stepped up his fundraising as well and we appreciate his efforts. Team Wicked had 18 walkers with over 150 individual donations and came in 7th place, each of which is amazing on their own. We thank all that came out and supported the team as well as those that could not make it and supported financially!”
This year’s Team Wicked included drake and Armstrong, along with Kylie Ireland, Jessie Lee, Ashley Manta, Hernando Chavez, Jamye Waxman, Sailor Luna, Jessica Johnson, Charlie Padow, Andy Appleton, Rae Threat, Jo, Natassia Dreams, Lotus Lain, Daniel Metcalf, Adella Curry, and Long Le.
