LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Among the first to utilize the music video parody trend to promote a social cause, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has released a parody of rapper Macklemore’s ubiquitous, chart-topping single “Thrift Shop” to spread HIV/AIDS awareness along with the laughs.
Featuring celebrity cameos from actress Pauley Perrette (NCIS), actor Verne Troyer (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Austin Powers in Gold Member), actress/singer Kat Graham (The Vampire Diaries), actress Anika Noni Rose (Dreamgirls) and actress Josie Loren (Make it or Break it) among others, AHF’s parody “(One Stop) Thrift Shop” promotes AHF’s Out of the Closet Thrift Stores as a “one stop” shop to thrift shop, donate goods, pick up free condoms, shop at an AHF Pharmacy and get tested for HIV because not knowing your status is a “hella don’t!”
"Because young people ages 13 to 24 account for 26 percent of all new HIV infections in the U.S., it is becoming increasingly important to us as an organization to find ways to get the message of safer sex out in a way that reaches and speaks to young people,” said Stacy Fong, AHF’s Visual Media Manager and Executive Producer of “(One Stop) Thrift Shop.” “In ‘(One Stop) Thrift Shop,’ we hope that the humor helps to normalize the use of condoms to prevent STDs and encourages everyone to find out their HIV status by getting tested.”
Although many people are familiar with Out of the Closet Thrift Stores, not everyone knows that funds earned through the stores - and the AHF Pharmacy sites adjacent to some stores - go into AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s treatment and prevention programs in the U.S. and around the world. In fact, 96 cents of every dollar earned at Out of the Closet and at AHF Pharmacy goes right back into providing services to people in need in the U.S., Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe.
Added Fong: “We believe that the idea of contributing to a social cause also really resonates with youth who value the chance to spend their dollars at businesses like Out of the Closet and AHF Pharmacy that give back to the community – locally and globally.”
To encourage the public to visit Out of the Closet and the AHF Pharmacy, AHF has created a photo contest inspired by the video, where one lucky participant will win a $500 thrift-shopping spree at Out of the Closet. Members of the public can register at www.outofthecloset.org and then submit a photo of themselves shopping, donating, picking up free condoms, getting a free HIV test or visiting the pharmacy. The photo must then be posted on Twitter or Instragram with the tags @outofthecloset and #thriftshopparody. For more information about the contest, visit: http://outofthecloset.org/enter-to-win/.
“(One Stop) Thrift Shop” is produced by AHF in association with Stay Cool Productions. Directed by Lu Louis, the parody lyrics were written by actors Danny Fernandez and Cottrell Guidry who also co-star.
About AHF
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider in the USA. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 200,000 individuals in 28 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Additional information is available at www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @AIDSHealthcare
About Out of the Closet
With twenty locations throughout California and Florida, one location in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and on soon-to-open store in Brooklyn, New York, AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s popular and award winning ‘Out of the Closet’ thrift store chain is the nation’s largest retail fundraising vehicle for HIV/AIDS medical care. Many stores also offer free HIV testing and have an AHF Pharmacy adjacent to the store. Additional information is available at: www.outofthecloset.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OutoftheClosetThriftStores and follow us on Twitter & Instagram: @OutoftheCloset.