Tim Cook makes surprise visit to D.C. Apple Store in support of World AIDS Day

Apple CEO Tim Cook and (RED) chief Deborah Dugan visited a Washington, D.C. Apple Store in Georgetown on Monday to show support for World AIDS Day, a global event created to foster awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Cook posted to Twitter a pair of photos from the impromptu meet-up, explaining that Apple Stores "around the world are RED today for #WorldAIDSDay." Apple's retail outlets changed the color of their iconic logos red on Monday, while employees donned like-colored shirts for the occasion.

In a follow-up tweet, Dugan thanked Apple for its continuing contributions to the global fund to stop AIDS in Africa, saying the company has so far raised more than $75 million for the effort, a number recently announced by (RED) cofounder Bono She also included a hashtag promoting the Apps for (RED) campaign currently underway in the iOS App Store.

Last week, Apple unveiled a special initiative that puts exclusive (RED)-themed content up for purchase on the App Store. In partnership with top app developers, the company is giving all proceeds to (RED).

On Black Friday, customers shopping at Apple retail stores received a (RED) iTunes gift card when purchasing select iOS, Mac and Beats devices. Each card handed out represented a monetary contribution to the global fund, though exact donation values have not been made public. Apple's support continued today, Cyber Monday, as the company donated a portion of all Apple Store sales to the organization.

Apple has participated in the PROJECT(RED) initiative since 2006, first selling specially marked (RED)-branded iPods before expanding to accessories and other products.

Cook did not disclose the purpose of his trip to the nation's capital, though it can be assumed he didn't travel across the country just to visit an Apple Store.