JOSEPH MACCHIA CARES

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The main question is, "how on Earth does he do it all?" Not only is he a part-time florist, part-time host at the Metropolitan Room, Off-Broadway producer (Judy and Me) and co-producer and co-host (both with Frantz Hall) of the popular gay chat fest Q Talk, but he also manages to spend forty plus hours a week on his real passion, "Help Is On The Way Today," the foundation he created to assist NY children who are living with HIV/AIDS.

The organization turns three this year, and on May 16, they reached an important landmark by raising over $50,000, which has helped literally hundreds of children with things that many of us take for granted; proper medical care, education, school supplies and often the very basic essentials of day-to-day life itself. Every year HIOTWT sends children to school in the Fall with fully stocked, brand new backpacks through an initiative called "Project Backpack," as well as to a special HIV+ summer program (Camp Viva) in Westchester. Additionally, HIOTWT supplies funds for items as diverse as wheelchairs and Kindle reading devices as well as toys through the efforts of their holiday gift drive. According to Joseph the greatest achievement of the foundation thus far has been "growing from twenty-two kids to over six hundred and fifty kids that we service."

Mr. Macchia (or Joseph John as he is known when producing or performing) told me on a recent afternoon that the idea for this very personal and inspirational endeavor occured to him while taking a year break from presenting Cabaret Cares, his popular MAC and Bistro-winning musical entertainment. While in search of new avenues where he might lend a financial helping hand, he was directed to the Incarnation Childrens Center in Washington Heights, which houses and provides for underprivileged children living with HIV/AIDS. His firsthand experience with these charming and needful children led to the formation of HIOTWT. Beginning as a weekly (and incredibly time consuming) fundraiser for "Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS," Macchia realized the monies raised by Cabaret Cares could also help meet the desperately needed demands of the Incarnation Childrens Center. The benefits originally played the now defunct room Helen's on Eighth Avenue, and continue as a monthly series at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in the West Bank Cafe on 42nd St. Cabaret Cares got its start after a good deal of knocking on stage doors and delivering letters helped Macchia finally strike gold with the cast of The Producers agreeing to participate in the first of these evenings. This initial show opened the doors to the generous time donated by numerous other Broadway casts including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Wicked. Over the years, the shows have grown to include many diverse, well known and not, members of the NY cabaret community and a number of celebrity hosts including Joanne Worley and, most recently, longtime radio personality Valerie Smalldone. It also proved fortuitous, with Joseph's introduction to Producers ensemble member Robert Fowler, who has not only gone on to become Vice President of HIOTWT, but is also the best and most frequent singer of the organization's self-titled theme song written by David Shenton and Dwayne Palmer. In it's brief five year existence, Cabaret Cares has garnered an impressive four MAC nominations, including a win in 2009.

The contributions made to the Incarnation Childrens Center and the difference it has made in the lives of its residents, led to requests from many other needy agencies, challenges to which HIOTWT has always risen and conquered. Macchia reguarly visits these clinics and has naturally grown quite attached to a great number of the children. This can be especially heartbreaking when sadly, even with all the current advances in HIV/AIDS care, a child is lost and deprived of the blessing and journey of a longer life. Joseph Macchia and his dream project have undoubtedly made an enormous, perhaps unmeasurable difference in the often difficult, but surely to be cherished life of each and every child it supports. Joseph says, "I look forward to the day when an event like Cabaret Cares is no longer needed, but until then we will continue this fight against AIDS."

For information on upcoming fundraisers, the organization or to contribute please visit:

www.helpisonthewaytoday.org