PHILADELPHIA — September 19, 2008 — Sapphire Fund, a nonprofit serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community (GLBTQ) and Philadelphia’s HIV/AIDS community, will award the Tony Sparacino Memorial Scholarship, in an award ceremony held at Mazzoni Center on September 19, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.

On the same night, Mazzoni Center will dedicate an examination room in Tony’s memory.

The Sapphire Fund created this scholarship in honor of local activist and business owner Tony Sparacino. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or queer (LGBTQ) student -- or a student supportive of the LGBTQ community -- who is majoring in the arts at a Philadelphia college or university and who has a history of community service.

The 2008 recipient is John Davenport, a student attending the University of the Arts majoring in theatre design. It was John’s intricate costume work that won over the scholarship committee – which consisted of Tony’s family and friends.

“John’s dedication to his art and his volunteer commitment best captured the spirit of this scholarship. Sapphire is excited by the decision of the scholarship committee.” said Wayne Hamilton, President of Sapphire Fund.

Sparacino was deeply involved with Philadelphia’s LGBTQ, arts and business communities. A founding member of the Sapphire Fund, he helped to shape its mission of raising funds to address health and social issues within Philadelphia’s LGBTQ, and more broadly, its HIV/AIDS communities. His passion and hard work helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Sapphire Fund is a volunteer organization, conceived and run by members and supporters of the Philadelphia GLBTQ community. To help support this scholarship, please donate online at http://www.sapphirefund.org/scholarship.php

Additional information about Sapphire Fund is also available online at www.sapphirefund.org.