Promoting safe sex can be expensive. Just ask Andrea Watson, the executive director of HIV West Yellowhead.

“Last summer we probably distributed about 9,000 condoms,” she says. “We have to provide non-latex condoms, and for a pack of five, they cost $20 dollars, so they are extremely expensive.”

Do the math, and you’ll find that HIV West Yellowhead spends tens of thousands on prophylactics every year, and with minimal levels of funding sustaining their operations, it’s no surprise that Watson is hoping that the second annual Hawaiian Party Fashion Show fundraiser will be a big success.

The show is set to liven up the Atha-B night club starting at about 11:00 p.m. Tuesday (June 27) night, and while last year’s event raised more than $500, Watson hopes that better organization will lead to better results, or at the very least, less stress.

“It was absolutely chaotic last year,” she says. “So if you looked at the number of hours we spent putting it together, we didn’t make that much at all.”

This year’s show seems straightfoward enough. Twelve local models will strut their stuff, with local businesses providing ready-to-wear outfits for the catwalk. 

Senate Skate Shop, Freewheel Cycle, Bombshell, Source for Sports and Mountain Air are all involved, and the show will also feature clothing designed by local Stephanie Kalamoutsos. Hair and makeup for the models will be provided by Insignia, The Works, and Hair on Earth.

All the money raised will go to the purchase of condoms, which are available at the HIV West Yellowhead office but are also handed out by volunteers at two local bars. So far, the organization has only purchased 4,900 condoms.

“We have to raise a lot more money, basically,” Watson says.

They’re also having to spread the wealth, so to speak. HIV West Yellowhead is responsible for Jasper, Hinton, Edson and Whitecourt, and that means they will have to limit the number of condoms they give out in Jasper this summer in order to meet needs elsewhere.

“There are 11 bars in Whitecourt,” Watson says.

HIV West Yellowhead has also started providing “survival packs” which include condoms and special coasters that can test for the presence of ketamine and GHB, common date-rape drugs. These coasters don’t come cheap either, costing 67 cents a piece.

“These we generally give out at staff orientations, because we want to give them to people when they’re sober,” Watson says. “If we give them to people while they’re drinking, they’ll try them out and it’s a big waste of money.”

What’s not a waste of money are tickets to the fundraising fashion show, which you can purchase in advance at any of the participating businesses for $4, or for $5 at the door.