Born out of Jase Cannon’s personal mission to support those living with life-altering illnesses, Big Love Weekend has illuminated the community’s understanding and empathy towards this cause. The focal point of this drive was God’s Love We Deliver, a pioneering charity established in 1985. Initially focused on combating the stigma associated with AIDS and HIV, the organization has expanded its mandate to provide daily, medically tailored nutritious meals to anyone grappling with severe illnesses, reinforcing the belief that food is love, and food is medicine.

The journey commenced in 2014 when Jase’s birthday fundraiser successfully raised over $5,000. Energized by this initial success, Jase stepped up her efforts the following year and launched an annual wellness fundraising weekend. This event brought together NYC’s top wellness providers and teachers, creating an inspiring platform for community engagement and support.

Over the next four years, this initiative grew in scale and impact, becoming a pillar in the realm of peer-to-peer fundraising. The campaign’s growth was a testament to the power of the collective, drawing in the support and engagement of an ever-expanding community.

The annual Big Love Weekend became an anticipated event, growing in size and influence each year. With Jase at the helm, the initiative was not just about raising funds; it was a vehicle for raising awareness, educating the community, and fostering a deep-rooted sense of connection and empathy towards those living with life-altering illnesses.

By the campaign’s fourth year, it had reached unprecedented heights, raising substantial funds and exponentially expanding God’s Love We Deliver’s community reach. It was not merely an event series; it was a movement that brought together diverse groups of people, united by the power of compassion, service, and the unwavering belief in the transformative power of food and love.

Reflecting on the campaign’s evolution, it is evident that Big Love Weekend has embodied more than a fundraiser—it has encapsulated the spirit of community, the power of service, and the profound impact that unity and shared purpose can have on driving meaningful change. Its success over the years has further solidified its role as a beacon of hope and support in the community, making a significant difference in the lives of the clients of God’s Love We Deliver.

Upon learning of her HIV diagnosis, Jase Cannon transformed her struggle into an inspiring journey of giving back. As a tribute to her 36th birthday, she held a fundraising event in support of God’s Love We Deliver, a pioneering organization that stood as a pillar of hope for the queer and trans communities during the AIDS crisis.

The following year (2014) marked a turning point. Jase launched the inaugural Big Love Weekend for God’s Love We Deliver. By mobilizing a network of esteemed wellness practitioners and community leaders, she set in motion a powerful peer-to-peer campaign. This initiative not only heightened awareness but also raised essential funds to provide much-needed meals to those struggling with illness.

Big Love Weekend began modestly, yet its foundation was solidly built on the pillars of community engagement and connection. Jase, donning the hat of Creative Director, steered a multi-day event filled with wellness activities, insightful talks, mindfulness practices, and unforgettable celebration parties. Moreover, she was instrumental in shaping the brand identity for Big Love Weekend.

In 2015, Jase and her team undertook a bold new initiative: a 14-part video documentary series (client video, client video 2, client video 3, client video 4). This ambitious endeavor provided our community with a profound insight into the lives of God’s Love clients. Each video was a heartfelt journey into individual stories, encapsulating raw emotions and heartfelt gratitude, underlining the transformational power of community. The series acted as a powerful reminder that food is love and medicine, offering a lifeline to those grappling with illness.

This project illuminated the unwavering commitment of our distinguished teachers and community partners, who willingly shared their experiences and commitment to service. The project required countless hours of meticulous planning and tireless execution from Jase and her team. The resultant series resonated with our existing community and extended its reach, spreading the message of compassion and unity in service.

In 2016, Jase again demonstrated her acumen in securing partnerships, mirroring her 2015 achievement by securing around $130k in donated services. These partnerships bolstered our resources, ensuring that the funds raised went directly towards those who needed them most.

That same year (2016), the Big Love Weekend grew under Jase Cannon’s leadership to include the Big Love Series. This innovative six-week wellness program, curated and created by Jase herself, was designed to foster deeper bonds within our community. The series offered a valuable opportunity for members to personally connect with our wellness practitioners, sparking effective peer-to-peer fundraising efforts. Her extraordinary efforts in executive producing the series and crafting the program not only enhanced the event but ignited a chain reaction of community engagement and fundraising success, setting the stage for what came next.

Not content to rest on this triumph, an extra evening event was added to kick off the Big Love Weekend. This strategic addition injected further energy and momentum into our efforts, creating more avenues for the community to come together. It opened new doors for connection and collaboration, amplifying our ability to contribute to a cause that resonates deeply with all our hearts. This expansion epitomized the growing vitality of a campaign that knew no bounds, consistently seeking ways to elevate impact and reach.

The Big Love Weekend has evolved into a remarkable testament of the profound impact when individuals unite for a cause greater than themselves. This initiative has successfully mobilized thousands of people, fostering strong community bonds and galvanizing collective support for some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

The heartfelt storytelling of the documentary series, combined with the enriching personal interactions of the Big Love Series, have served to amplify a narrative of compassion and selfless service. Each element of the initiative has not just raised awareness and funds but also magnified the sense of togetherness, underlining our belief in the transformative power of community.

Our relationship with God’s Love We Deliver extends beyond typical partnerships; they are an integral part of our extended family. This sentiment is reflected in the cherished memories and meaningful experiences born out of our united efforts. Through this initiative, we’ve come to understand the transformative power of service and the fundamental concept that food is an expression of love.

Over the years, our collective efforts have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars, translating into a vast number of medically tailored nutritious meals for those who need them most. We’ve also succeeded in creating a nurturing, supportive environment that continues to impact many lives positively. The power of unity and shared purpose, as demonstrated through Big Love Weekend, has proven that when we stand together, we catalyze not just temporary relief, but enduring change.

This multi-year awareness and fundraising campaign have thus shown us the incredible success and transformative change that can be achieved when we intertwine the power of community, service, food, and love. Big Love Weekend, through the unyielding bonds of compassion and unity, continues to inspire and illuminate the path towards collective healing and support.