Lucasfilm annual Trivia Night raises more than $150K to benefit AIDS, breast cancer

SAN FRANCISCO -- The annual Trivia Night raised nearly $154,000 for AIDS and breast cancer patients.

That number brings to total amount of money raised in the event's 20-year history to more than $1 million. Wednesday was a big night of big money and fun that actually started with pennies.

Twenty years ago, Trivia Night founder Paul Hill put a jar on his desk and asked for pennies. "We raised $3,000 and we were so excited that we were able to get that much money," Hill said.

Fast forward to 2016, and the top fundraising team brought in more than twice that.

"Hundreds of people wrote back and saying, yes, I'll give $10, I'll give $20, I'll give $500, I'll give $100 and before we knew it we raised $6,278," said Erin Kahn who attended the event.

Trivia Night is made up of teams of Disney employees. Most work for Lucasfilm, but an ABC7 News team was there playing trivia.

The money raised benefits the AIDS Emergency Fund and the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, which help patients pay for housing.

"There's so many people who get in that tight spot and they just need a little assistance to get over that hump to continue moving forward," said Lance Holman of the AIDS Emergency Fund.

"They're really fighting a debilitating illness and we try to help those who are falling through the cracks," said Karen Edwards of the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund.

The general manager of Lucasfilm says they're very proud of what has become the most fun night of the year.

"It feels wonderful to come together as a community and contribute to such a great cause," said Lynwen Brennan, the general manager of LucasFilm.

The goal was to top $1 million this year and that's exactly what they did.

Disney is a parent company of ABC7 News.