FORT LAUDERDALE – Broward House, South Florida’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS community service organization, announced last week plans to hold a candlelight walk, vigil, rally, and concert to commemorate World AIDS Day, December 1, and to honor the event’s grand marshal, internationally-renowned comedian Wanda Sykes, one of the Entertainment Weekly “25 Funniest People in America.”

“We are very excited about Wanda becoming a member of the Broward House family,” said Terry DeCarlo, Director of Development and Public Relations for Broward House. “She is a mega superstar, and will help us bring much needed attention to the fact that HIV and AIDS are still here, people are still being infected at alarming rates, the disease is still killing, people need to get tested regularly, and need to always protect themselves.

“She will also be doing a benefit concert for us the very next day in the Au Rene Theater at the Broward Center, which I personally cannot wait for.” DeCarlo also noted that last year’s event, which was presided over by grand marshal Margaret Cho, attracted over 2,500 participants.

As well as starring on Fox-TV’s “The Wanda Sykes Show,” the comedian is a staple of broadcast and network television, including several specials on HBO and CBS and a recurring role in the CBS comedy “The New Adventures of Old Christine.” Her first HBO special, “Wanda Sykes: Sick & Tired,” was nominated for a 2007 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special. DeCarlo says that the event is free to the community, and that everything, including candles for the vigil, will be provided.

Sponsors include MAC AIDS Fund, Walgreens Pharmacy, Group Benefit Concepts, and Broward Health. The Candlelight Vigil will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 1, with the Wanda Sykes concert taking place at 8 p.m. on Sunday, December 2. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, September 14.

For more information, visit browardhouse.org.