Telluride AIDS Benefit Distributes $135,000 from Fundraising Efforts
The Telluride AIDS Benefit, a unique grass-roots non-profit based in Telluride, Colorado raised $135,000 to four AIDS service providers in Colorado and Africa.
Telluride, CO (PRWEB) June 24, 2005
The Telluride AIDS Benefit (“TAB”), a grass-roots organization in the small mountain resort community in Southwest Colorado, just made their 2005 distribution of $135,000 to four important AIDS service providers in Colorado and Africa. This amount is $15,000 more than previously raised in 2004. TABs’ beneficiaries are the Western Colorado AIDS Project (“WestCAP”) which received $80,000; the Denver Children’s Hospital Immunodeficiency Program (“CHIP”) received 35,000; Brother Jeff’s Community Health Initiative in Denver received $10,000 and the Telluride Project in Manzini, Swaziland received $8,000. Remaining funds will go to education programs and scholarships for children in San Miguel and surrounding counties.
WestCAP serves the 22 counties on the Western Slope and much of their service area is very rural. “WestCAP continues to see a disproportionately high percentage of women as clients, currently 28.5%, and an increase in the number of Spanish speaking clients”, says Executive Director, Jo Rosenquist. She continues, “This year WestCAP is relying more than ever before on the flexibility of TAB’s generous funding support. Ryan White federal dollars have shrunk to funding only 6 areas as compared to 26 categories in the past while the needs of clients haven’t shrunk to only 6 areas. Prevention continues to need funding sources as never contracting HIV is the best form of treatment!”
TAB continues to be an important part of why CHIP is able to provide quality HIV care to all of their patients and their families. This includes opportunities for families to gather and find support among each other. CHIP Youth Project Director, Myles Mendoza expresses their gratitude of receiving TAB funds, “Words cannot express how much the funds received from the Benefit does to allow the Immunodeficiency Program (CHIP) to provide the best care for our clients living with HIV/AIDS. Every year CHIP is honored by the support that Telluride provides for the children, youth and families we treat. These funds provide us not only with financial support but encouragement to continue working toward our goal of ending pediatric HIV/AIDS. TAB funds are absolutely essential to allow CHIP to continue to provide comprehensive services. Thank you for another year of funding and inspiration!”
Nationally, African Americans are over represented by HIV/AIDS infections and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control, African Americans comprise 48% of all AIDS cases. Sadly, Colorado statistics are also disproportionate and alarming at 16%. Brother JeffÂ’s Community Health Initiative was established in 1999 with the mission to reduce the unbalanced rate in this population and enhance the quality of life for African Americans living with HIV and AIDS regardless of age, faith, background or sexual orientation. Brother JeffÂ’s Health InitiativeÂ’s greatest asset is collaboration and community mobilization, which is seen not only through his daily activities, but also through his annual conference to educate members of both the black and HIV/AIDS community.
TAB continues to contribute to the Telluride Project in Manzini, Swaziland, which faces the greatest orphan crisis in Africa. According to statistics from UNAIDS, by 2010 10-15% of the total population in Swaziland will be orphans, overwhelmingly caused by AIDS. Adding to the plague of these orphans is the inability to attend school. The township of Manzini now has a new center where community life programs are based and it remains busy. Due to the central location in the city many people get the services needed and learn about available programs. Through TABSÂ’ funding 62 children were able to go to school in the past year. Counseling to the many HIV and AIDS infected still continues.
”Open Your EYES, AIDS is STILL on the RISE!” is the theme for the Thirteenth Benefit, which is scheduled for February 25 – March 6, 2006. Please email TAB at tab@frontier. net or visit the website for more information at www. aidsbenefit. org.
About TAB-
As the AIDS pandemic enters its 25th year, the number of people living with HIV continues to increase steadily. 2004 saw the most new HIV cases in the history of this disease. The annual Benefit is ten days of events featuring local and childrenÂ’s art auctions, opening receptions, silent auctions, fashion shows and live auctions. TAB provides year-round education with the help of the Telluride School District both in the classroom and after hours. TAB is a unique organization that has incredible support and talent from the multitude of volunteers, the financial support of local, regional and national contributors, and the generous donations from the fashion industry and drug companies. This allows TAB to continue to help everyone affected across the state and globally regardless of age, sex, race, sexual preference or income level. With this help TAB can continue to provide the support to our beneficiaries who provide essential services to individuals and families on the Western Slope, at the ChildrenÂ’s Hospital in Denver, with Brother JeffÂ’s Healthcare Initiative and help make a small difference in a community very much in need in Africa.
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