As of 2008, AIDS has claimed more than 25 million lives worldwide, and despite promising medical treatments and increased prevention awareness, the number continues to grow on a daily basis. Let's resolve to do whatever we can in 2009 to finally end the AIDS pandemic. AIDS Community Services has been at the front lines of the battle against HIV and AIDS in Western New York since 1983, and we'll continue to be here until there's a cure. If you'd like more information about how you can help, visit our website.

Have You Ever Wondered?

Have you ever wondered why AIDS Community Services adopted the evergreen tree as a symbol? Well, it's all because of a page in a daily calendar. September 17, to be precise. The calender featured an inspirational quote for each day, along with a short meditation to go along with the quote. The September 17 quote was from a poem by Gilbert Maxwell: There are trees that seem to die at the end of autumn. There are also the evergreens.

The meditation is as follows: among us are people who are like evergreens. They keep hope alive in themselves and radiate hope for the rest of us. They stand tall, sometimes alone, sometimes with others. They tell us that we have choices. They challenge us to be powerful creators of our lives. They refuse to be victims. They build organizations, speak to the press, and sometimes disappear for a while in order to grow strong again. Most of all, they teach us that AIDS is a fightable diseaseand that we are powerful people. They teach us how to love and accept ourselves, that this is our strongest defense. They teach us how to be survivors, evergreens.

Now you know.

World AIDS Day 2008 at ACS

Starbucks Goes Red

On World AIDS Day (Monday, December 1) Starbucks will donate 5 cents to the Global Fund for every hand-crafted beverage sold in-store between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The Global Fund fights AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in 136 countries around the world, and to date has committed $11.3 billion dollars to fund agressive interventions against the three diseases.

The 20th World AIDS Day

ACS is observing World AIDS Day with a full day of events beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 1. Fabric panels from the Mending of the Hearts Memorial Project will be featured, along with music by Kindred and a special Prayer for Healing. All events are free of charge, and will take place at the new Evergreen Conference Center at 119 West Chippewa Street. The public is cordially invited!

Many of our clients* depend on the ACS food pantry to get the nutrition they need to stay as healthy as possible. Popular items like peanut butter, jelly and juice are always the first to run out each month, so we're asking area schools to make a one month commitment to the new Peanut Butter Jelly Time program to help us keep these popular - and nutritious - items well stocked. Students will learn about community engagement and make a real difference in the lives of our clients. If you're interested, contact Liz at 332-2268 extension 371 or via email at lodell@aidscommunityservices.com.

* approximately 200 clients utilize the agency's food pantry on a monthly basis.

The Story of Generosity

Here's another excerpt from our 25th anniversary commemorative booklet.

The Story of Generosity by Kathy Oczek, Kate Gallivan & John Carocci

One of the greatest stories to come out of our 25 year history is the story of generosity. Thousands of Western New Yorkers have given their time, talents and money to help improve the lives of those in our community who struggle with AIDS. Even in the earliest days of the epidemic, when fear and ignorance were everywhere, there were brave individuals who ignored the prejudice and took action, becoming our first volunteers. Some had lost friends or family members to the disease, and contributed as a way of giving back. Others simply wanted to make a difference.

AIDS Community Services was founded by volunteers, and volunteers continue to be the backbone of the agency, assisting with everything from staffing our holiday gift wrap tables to making condom packets. They answer phones, deliver meals to clients, work at fundraising events and help educate the community about how to stay safe from HIV and AIDS. Since 1983, 2,942 people have volunteered 139,323 to AIDS Community Services, and those numbers grow daily. We depend on our dedicated volunteers to help us better serve those who come to us for help, and they've never let us down.

(read the complete story at the ACS website)

Statistic: in 1989, the Western New York Health Systems Agency estimated that as many as 6,000 Western New Yorkers were HIV+