For coverage on the 2008 International AIDS Conference held in Mexico City, 
September E-Newsletter
A Letter from David Richart, Lifelong AIDS Alliance’s Executive Director
Greetings Friends and Supporters of Lifelong AIDS Alliance,
September 2, 2008, marked the first day of Lifelong’s “25 Days for 25 Years” commemorative month-long observance honoring those who have served and those who we have served over the last 25 years. Additionally, we are celebrating major milestones and looking toward the future as we count down the 25 days leading up to our largest fundraising event, the Seattle AIDS Walk on October 4, 2008.
As a part of the “25 Days for 25 Years,” Lifelong is honoring our dedicated staff, volunteers and Board members with various mini-events. Some of these events include an all-staff and volunteer “thank-you” picnic, a reflection over the last quarter-century event with past Board members, media outreach for the Seattle AIDS Walk and much more. Additionally, the Snohomish County Lifelong AIDS Alliance office, located in Everett, hosted an open house this week. This is an exciting time for Lifelong and we look forward to seeing more of the great services offered to clients in Seattle being offered to clients in Everett as well.
In honor of Lifelong’s 25th Anniversary, a past board member shared,
“My memories of my time on the Northwest AIDS Foundation board start with how much of a novice I was about AIDS, and who were the early voices helping all of us to understand the blight that was before us. But TODAY though the fight against AIDS is still daunting, it continues to be matched by courageous men and women. It is those faces and names that continue to fill my heart.” - Norm Bauer
Lifelong is proud of our 110 staff members and 1,177 annual volunteers, who are passionate about Lifelong’s mission to care for people, prevent new infections, advocate for change and create community. In effort to continue the tradition of phenomenal staff, volunteers, and client services, Lifelong is preparing a strategic plan, which will be unveiled in early 2009. This plan will guide Lifelong toward many more years of superior service.
Thank you for your continued support of Lifelong AIDS Alliance and our mission. We look forward to seeing you at the 22nd Annual Seattle AIDS Walk in 11 days.
Thanks,
David Richart
Executive Director
The Care to Shop program needs your help this summer! Care to Shop is easy, affordable and really makes a difference. After doing your regular grocery shopping at a Care to Shop store, drop an additional item or two into a bin outside of the store. Lifelong will collect the food and distribute it directly to those in need! A list of participating stores is always available on the website. Want to participate in a bigger way? We are in need of volunteers to help cover shifts over the summer while our year-long volunteers take their summer vacations! Check out our Volunteer page and help us today!
Lifelong’s MPowerment program is pleased to announce they won the 2008 Exemplary Service Award for Service Innovation from the King County Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Division. The award recognizes the success and innovation of MPowerment by incorporating alcohol and other drug harm reduction into the HIV prevention activities targeting LGBTQ youth and young adults. MPowerment is the only HIV, alcohol and other drug prevention program in King County specifically for LGBTQ young people.
The AIDS Awareness & Action Day (A3 Day) will take place this year on February 18, 2009. This special day only happens once every two years, and has advocates from across Washington State gather in Olympia to educate state lawmakers about the need for HIV and AIDS prevention and services in our state. Don’t miss the opportunity to advocate for change at the state’s capital with Lifelong!
Want to make a difference now? Your voice CAN help! Join the C.A.N., Communities in Action Network and advocate for improved policies, services, research, prevention, and civil rights in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
The Seattle AIDS Walk is on Saturday, October 4, 2008 in Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with your community to make a difference! Whether you participate as a volunteer, donor, or as an individual walker or member of a team, your participation makes a difference. The Seattle AIDS Walk is a wonderful way to show your support for your community, make new friends, strengthen old bonds, and support a good cause.
Thank you to the 22nd Annual Seattle AIDS Walk Sponsors: MOMs Pharmacy, Nordstrom, Microsoft, Ernst & Young, Swedish Medical Center, Safeco Insurance Foundation, Amtrak, Heller Ehrman, the GSBA, Whole Foods Market Westlake, Arrowhead Water, and Dermik Aesthetics.
Special thanks to the Seattle AIDS Walk’s media partners: Comcast, MOViN 92.5, The Mountain 103.7, The Seattle Weekly and Seattle Gay News.
Ongoing: Whole Foods Market Westlake offers shoppers a 10 cent refund for bringing in their own re-usable grocery bags. Shoppers have the option to donate their refund back to Whole Foods Seattle AIDS Walk team. Good for the environment, great for Lifelong!
Sunday, September 28: The Gary Manuel Aveda Institute will be offering salon and spa services with all proceeds directly benefiting Lifelong AIDS Alliance. Appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 206.302.1044 to schedule an appointment.
Saturday, October 4, 2008 is the Seattle AIDS Walk Walk. Volunteer. Donate. Together we can make a difference in our community. For more information please visit: http://www.seattleaidswalk.org/ or call 206.323.WALK.
Thursday, October 23 is the Macy's Passport Event. This event has been dazzling fashion fans for 26 years. Featuring showcased fashion, celebrities and theatrics at Seattle's Pacific Place, this event donates all ticket sales proceeds to Lifelong AIDS Alliance and is a must-attend event. Tickets will go on sale at Lifelong’s Thrift Store starting Monday, September 22, or visit the official Macy’s Passport website.