Newsletter - HIVCO The HIV Coalition

HIVCO’s mission is to foster the health and well being of HIV-impacted individuals and
raise HIV awareness.

The HIV Coalition

HIVCO Horizons

June 2002

Merger Message from HIVCO’s CEO

On July 1, HIVCO will merge with two other area AIDS service organizations, Community Response, Inc. and Open Hand Chicago. This is the culmination of a year-long process that step-by-step, building on the strengths of the three agencies, created the new organization, with a new mission and vision guiding its operations.

The mission of the new organization is "to serve people impacted by HIV and AIDS throughout metropolitan Chicago by providing prevention, case management, food, nutrition, housing and related services through the efforts of a dedicated community of volunteers."

The new organization's vision is that "The new merged organization seeks to be a leader in delivering and advocating for effective comprehensive services for people impacted by HIV/AIDS. The organization develops and provides collaborative, culturally appropriate, community based services that help each person address their needs in order to sustain health and achieve self-sufficiency."

The work of volunteers is so vital to the success of the new organization it is written into the mission. The articles inside this month's newsletter demonstrate the power and impact of volunteers in HIVCO's work. We would not be able to accomplish our mission without you.

Thank you and I look forward to our continued success as part of the new organization.

John P. Buckley

CEO

HIVCO’s 2002 Grocery Store Food Drives

HIVCO has begun its 7th annual Grocery Store Food Drive Season. Grocery Store Food Drives fulfill two parts of HIVCO’s stated mission: raising HIV-awareness in the communities we serve while collecting food and personal care items for clients of our Hand-to-Hand Food Network.

Food drives are generally held on Saturdays, with shifts from 10am to 12:30pm and 12:30pm to 3pm. At least four volunteers and a Site Manager are needed for each shift, to hand out Wish Lists to shoppers and receive donations. A single food drive can raise up to 30 boxes of non-perishable food and personal care items for our clients.

We are happy to set up Food Drives for specific volunteer groups. If interested, please provide us with a list of dates, times, and locations.

The Buffalo Grove Dominick’s food drive was a great kick-off to the 2002 Food Drive Season!

The May 18 drive raised about 15 boxes of food. Thanks to all of the great volunteers who came out for our first grocery store food drive of the season. Tremendous thanks to Kevin Hyland, who went above and beyond by site managing all day.

Thanks also to Shelagh Collins, Marti Irmiter, Keith Holmes, Manisha Mittal, Stella Bushley, Sarah Yoo, Sarah Heimsoth, Elisa AdorjanKarbin, Stephanie Meyer, and Katie Michaels for working the drive. Ya’ll are fabulous!

HIVCO’s 2002

Grocery Store Food Drive Schedule

June 15 Schaumburg Jewel

2501 Schaumburg Rd.

July 20 Barrington Jewel

150 W. Main St.

August 17 Palatine Jewel

423 E. Dundee Rd. PENDING

Sept. 21 Arlington Hts.

1860 S. Arlington Hts. Rd.

October 19 Hoffman Estates

1069 N. Roselle Rd.

Messages from the Food Box

where clients say thanks

“You can get help from a lot of places, but you guys do a great job. My family and I thank you very much.”

“The service is great. Thank you for your concern.”

“Everything you do for me and my daughter helps out a lot.”

“The service is perfect. Keep up the perfect job and bless you all.”

“Thanks for taking part in the quality of life.”

“I think you are doing a great job.”

May’s Raffle Winner!

Cindy Pappas is May’s raffle winner. Congratulations, Cindy!

Cindy has been driving and packing for HIVCO for about 6 months now, and is doing a wonderful job. She came to HIVCO after attending our Strike Out Hunger 2001 bowling event and has been here ever since.

Cindy won a mug and a bag of coffee from Starbucks in this month’s raffle. Make sure to enter during packing nights, you never know what you might win!

Congrats, Cindy!

HIVCO’s volunteers are the best in the world! (Well, perhaps we are a tad biased. ☺) All of you help us so much and in so many ways. Thanks a million times!

Thanks to the following schools for packing and sorting with us during May!

Barrington High School

Loyola Academy, Wilmette

St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights

Glenbrook North High School’s Red Ribbon Club, Northbrook

Thanks for the

Pennies!

Glenview’s P-Flag

Bogan High School, Chicago

Thanks for the

Pop-tops!

Glenview’s P-Flag