THE AIDSNET HI-V Group Needs Your Help!
- "Thank you for the weekend. I love coming here. This place is just so wonderful. All the people are great, new and old. Thanks to all the people who donated time and money for us. It's nice to know that there are people that care so much about us. God bless you."
- "Thank you. You guys don't have to do this for us, but you do and your dedication is very visible. God bless you guys. Please keep doing what you do; nobody else takes the time."
- "I feel the staff are wonderful people. I feel we could not ask for a better lot. God bless you all. God knew what he was doing when he sent us to you."
- "I enjoy being able to come here and be myself and share information with people who have the same problems that I do. Thank you so much."
- "Glad to be able to get a break and pleased to be able to get information and have someone explain it to me so that I'm able to understand it better and help myself and be able to get help."
These are comments from real people...people who face the daily challenges of living with HIV disease...people who feel isolated and discouraged...people who live at or below the poverty level.
They are also people who are renewed, motivated and strengthened by a special weekend sponsored once a year by AIDSNET.
What makes this weekend so special?
The HI-V Annual Consumer Summit enables approximately 30 HI-V Group members and other interested clients the opportunity to come together in a safe, non-threatening environment to share, learn and be empowered. The weekend begins on a Friday afternoon with a welcoming picnic. The weekend is filled with speakers presenting topics regarding living well with HIV, a variety of wellness activities, discussions about the importance of empowerment via involvement, and time to socialize. The weekend is held in a peaceful, rural setting in the Lehigh Valley. Lodging, meals, snacks, beverages and gift bags of personal care products are provided at no cost to the participants.
Why gift bags of personal care items?
For most clients who attend the Summit, personal care products are needed items they can't afford to purchase. AIDSNET began the tradition of providing a few items to the Summit participants three years ago and from the response received, realized there was a real need for these types of items. For the past two years, concentrated efforts were made for more donations and enough items were collected to put together gift bags for each and every participant of the Summit.
How can I help?
The 2010 Summit will be held June 11 through June 13. The topics to be presented by various speakers will be HIV and Aging, treatment and living with HIV and Hepatitis B or C co-infection, and accessing services.
AIDSNET needs your support to continue this important, life changing, educational weekend. AIDSNET's grant funding has not increased for several years, while the costs associated with the administration and funding of HIV care and prevention services in our region have continued to increase, leaving fewer dollars available each year to support the Summit. With the current state of our economy, non-profit organizations, like AIDSNET, are seeing less support from private or corporate donors, whether it be financially or with donations of products. That is why we are putting forth this plea and asking you to consider giving AIDSNET your support. Whether your support is financial or in the form of the donation of personal care products, your help will keep bringing hope and empowerment into the lives of persons living with HIV disease.
Product donations (or cash donations to purchase them) are needed for both men and women:
- Bath soap
- Body lotion
- Scented body sprays
- Hand lotion
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Deodorant
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Dental floss
- Disposable razors
- Any kind of bath products, such as bubble bath, sponges, loofah, etc.
- Lip balm, such as Chapstick
- Personal First Aid kits
- Tissues (travel size packages)
- Hair brushes and combs
There is a need for cash donations or gift cards from area grocery stores for the purchase of snacks, beverages, food and other picnic related items.
There is also a need for cash donations to help cover speakers' fees, lodging and meal expenses.
Financial donations may be made electronically via the "Donate" link. Checks should be made payable to "AIDSNET" and mailed to AIDSNET, 2200 Avenue A, Suite 102, Bethlehem, PA 18017-2157. Product donations may be mailed or hand delivered to the same address Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
THANK YOU!
This page updated 4/01/10