Malvern Prep students and faculty showed their support for World Aids Day on December 1 with a “red out,” in which students were encouraged to wear red if they made a small donation to “dress down” from their formal dress code for the day.

Malvern raised $840, which was donated to Siloam, a Philadelphia organization that addresses the spiritual and wellness needs of those with HIV/AIDS.

“You could not miss the sea of red on the Malvern campus today,” said Director of Student Activities and event organizer Jim Fry. “This outpouring of compassion for those living with HIV and AIDS is truly amazing.”

Malvern’s HIV/Aids education student group helped to rally the school to participate in the red out, which was designed not only to collect donations to support Siloam, but also to educate the community about the disease and promote healthy communication about HIV/AIDS research and treatment. World AIDS Day began on December 1, 1988, and is sponsored by the World AIDS Day Foundation, and international organization dedicated to HIV/AIDS awareness. In addition to the red out, Malvern students learned about HIV/AIDS through video clips in homeroom this week, as well as hosting a special chapel service.

The members Malvern’s HIV/AIDS education group include freshmen Bobby Adams, Ian Jeffers, Matt Lane, P.J. Mullen, Sean O’Hara and Eric Purnell, sophomores Mike DeMatteis, Mike Lewers, Fran McArdle, Drew Mulhern and Trevor Pinos, and juniors Brendan Bell, Austin Bury, Brad Hunt, Tom Lawler and John Moran.