Estate of Thomas M. Dross Donates $ 2.1 Million Dollars to AIDS Related Charities
MEDIA ADVISORY / COVERAGE REQUEST: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10 – 3PM
Media Contact: David Perry
415.676.7007
news@davidperry.com
WHO: The Estate of Thomas M. Dross
WHAT: Donates $ 2.1 Million Dollars to AIDS Related Charities
One of largest individual gifts to AIDS / HIV Causes Marked with “Big Check” photo opp and representatives from following charities:
AIDS Emergency Fund
AIDS Interfaith Chapel at Grace Cathedral
Clinica Esperanza
Desert AIDS Project (Palm Springs)
FamilyLink
Food for Thought (Sonoma)
Mazzoni LGBT Center
Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation
SF AIDS Foundation
San Francisco LGBT Aging Policy Task Force Outreach Report
WHEN: Monday, February 10 – 3pm
WHERE: The Flood Building Lobby / 870 Market Street (at Powell)
WHY: It’s a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for 10 AIDS related charities: over $2.1 million in donations from the estate of Thomas M. Dross (July 21, 1940 – January 7, 2012).
“Tom was a quiet and generous man, and we want his generosity to be remembered,” said Alfredo Casuso & David Perry, co-executors of the Dross Estate. “The fight against AIDS / HIV continues, and because of Tom’s generosity, the fight will continue. What better way than to spread a legacy of love and hope this Valentine’s Day than this, especially among those places that Tom called home at different times in his life.”
The charities sharing in the largesse are: The AIDS Emergency Fund, the AIDS Interfaith Chapel at Grace Cathedral, Clinica Esperanza, FamilyLink, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, the San Francisco LGBT Aging Policy Task Force Outreach Report, the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation (all of San Francisco), the Desert AIDS Project (Palm Springs), Food for Thought (Sonoma County) and the Mazzoni LGBT Health & Wellness Center (Philadelphia).
Thomas M. Dross died following a sudden heart attack on January 7, 2012. He was 71 years old. Originally from Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Dross moved to San Francisco in the 1970s where he became a well-known advertising and marketing professional, working for such prestigious firms as Pritikin & Associates. Later, he was the founder and owner of one of San Francisco’s most popular financial district restaurants, “Upstairs, Downstairs.” He attended Widner College in Chester Pennsylvania and received his degree from the University of Pennsylvania. As a youth, He went to St. Mary’s Parochial school, St. Matthew’s High School and was a member of St. Mary’s Church all in Conshohocken. Shortly following his death, receptions in his honor were held in both San Francisco and Palm Springs. His ashes were scattered on San Jacinto Mountain overlooking the desert.