Cherry Fund: Not Convinced. I Think They Are Closed.

Despite the Cherry Board of Directors announcement on their website which states:

CHERRY MOVES 25TH ANNIVERSARY TO APRIL 7-10, 2022Hello CHERRY Family,
We would like to apologize for our absence on social media for the past several months. We have all faced uncertainty during these trying times as we try to navigate our way during this pandemic. We want to extend our condolences to all those we’ve lost and those negatively impacted by COVID.
Part of our mission is providing mental health services to the LGBTQ+ community, we know that COVID and the lockdown has affected the mental health and well-being of so many.  This said we will be focusing on bringing awareness, strategies and platforms which can be used to improve mental health via our social media. 
Our greatest concern is the health and safety of you, our Cherry family, friends, and patrons.
Due to current COVID restrictions and guidelines set forth by Washington DC and emerging COVID variants we can’t proceed with having CHERRY 25 in 2021. Our tentative plan will be to have CHERRY 25 in the spring of 2022.
In the meantime we plan to host some smaller scale events in the Fall of 2021, contingent on DC government guidelines, whether that will be a virtual or in-person. This will not be decided until late summer  and or when restrictions have been lifted.  Once lifted, hopefully by late summer, we will announce the dates and where the events will be produced (whether that be virtual or at a local venue). We miss seeing everyone on the dance floor and enjoying the ambience that CHERRY is so proud to bring throughout the year. We encourage you to continue adhering to your local health and safety guidelines, get vaccinated, and continue to wear a mask.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unparalleled times.
-CHERRY BOARD

I just don't believe it.  So they decided to skip this year all together and wait until the spring of 2022.  However they will do smaller events this year I'd wonder if they will be listed under their (non-registered with the District) for-profit production business.  They list no details nor have they updated refund information for last years event that they cancelled and didn't refund 100% of the money.  Mark my words fellow concerned for the organization and those organizations where the money went - This is about to get very messy.  I hope all recent recipients of their grants will join me in sharing this concern as they are the ones loosing out and every person affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS should be pissed frankly.  Just like when Capital Pride 'overlooked' World AIDS Day 2020 and refused to issue a public apology.  No word back from Ryan on my suggestions on hosting an HIV/AIDS related event during Pride.  I thought they would have jumped on that.  Hopefully Capital Pride Alliance will see the importance of those nationwide and begin to prioritize keeping those infected and affected in the forefront.  I do think its disgusting that Capital Pride has accepted The Cherry Fund as a "BE TRUE, BE YOU Bronze Advocates" sponsor given factual based evidence of which at the very least they refuse to release their taxes like Capital Pride would have to do as a non-profit. Remember there is much more but in black and white proof that is where anyone can join and ask themselves why?

Regarding last years cancellation (don't we find it funny they didn't try for this year knowing the nation was re-opening?)  How many of you have tried recently to get a refund or to inquire about your refund?  I'm starting to hear from some irritated people who say they are having troubles getting a refund from their credit card company.  Here is what one person said, 

​Have you heard anything more from Cherry Fund? Maybe we need to get some kind of settlement started. I am having trouble getting it back from my credit card company.

Most people likely have forgotten that big ticket price tag and even fighting for that refund as since they have pushed it back to next year there is no guidance from Eventbrite or even from Cherry despite their claim in a comment on their Facebook page they seem to think Eventbrite will honor the credit for next year however they say they are still discussing it with Eventbrite and have yet to release anything about details of that arrangement.  The credit from my understanding expire at the end of this year.  Infact on one of the two sites they own they have nothing about this update above they still have it saying "CHERRY 25 StatementThe Cherry Fund understands the impact of COVID-19. YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY. As you are aware, The Cherry Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, our mission is to raise money for HIV/AIDS & Mental Health Services serving the Washington DC Metropolitan area and beyond. All pre-purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates of our 25th Anniversary, October 1-5, 2020. We would like to thank you for your continued support, patience, and understanding with this matter.  Please continue to practice proper health and safety measures. With Love, The Cherry Fund Family.

DO NOT DELAY IN TRYING TO SEEK COMPENSATION FROM EVENTBRITE OR CHERRY FUND THE LONGER YOU WAIT THE HARDER IT WILL BE TO GET ANYTHING FROM THIS SITUTATION.
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If anyone experiences any additional problems I'd appreciate hearing from you I will continue to keep the pressure on everyone including the LGBT publications which to this point has refused to cover any of this story even though its in black and white.  I wonder why they just don't ask for Cherry Fund to release their taxes and see if they get a response.  Either way, I bet this is about to get mighty messy and would not be surprised if and AG investigation into the refunds of the Eventbrite money is not launches *there is no indication at this time there is such an investigation however it would not surprise me*   If you want to read more articles about other questionable matters with The Cherry Fund visit: http://tomdonohue.pw/tomsthoughts/category/the-cherry-fund​

Contact me below if you have anything to add or if Cherry would like to make any comments, I always want to be clear that I'm open to a discussion with them.

Good luck with that credit or refund.  I've done the work for you and included what process is in place to request a refund here is what it says:

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Request a refund directly from your Eventbrite accountEventbrite automatically creates an account with the email address you used to purchase a ticket. If refund requests are allowed, you’ll see the option to request one in your account:

1. Log in to Eventbrite.
2. Go to "Tickets" in your account. Select the ticket you want a refund for.
3. Click "Request a refund". 
4. Enter your details and submit your request. 

Click “Contact the Organizer” if you don’t see the option to request a refund or you have a question about the status of your refund request.  
You purchased tickets for an event that did not occur Make sure you meet all the requirements below:

• You already contacted the organizer and they have either not responded or denied your request 
• The event was scheduled to take place within the last 45 days but did not occur (not postponed or rescheduled)
• The organizer used Eventbrite Payment Processing to process your payment

If you meet the requirements, ask for a refund through this refund request form.