Last year it was Once Upon A Mattress' Sarah Jessica Parker; this year, Ruben Blades of The Capeman is the official spokesperson for the Stephen J. Falat Holiday Basket Project to benefit People living with AIDS (PWA).

Sponsored by Actors' Equity Association, the project delivers holiday baskets filled with clothing, books, CDs, candy, toiletries and other gifts to PWA's throughout the New York metropolitan area. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS assists a committee that works throughout December to fill the baskets for more than 2,500 PWA's.

Falat was an Equity member very active on AIDS committees. He died of AIDS and his life partner, Arn Gunderson, has taken over the Project, which started when Falat delivered four baskets to St. Luke's Hospital in 1986.

Blades is making his Broadway debut in the Paul Simon musical, The Capeman, opening Jan. 8, 1998 at the Marquis Theatre.

Those interested in donating gifts or delivering baskets can call Actors' Equity, (212) 869-8530 and ask for information about the Project.