The 15th Annual AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service

"Let's Keep the Light on HIV." - Austin's 15th Annual & The 31st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service Event - Republic Square Park - 422 Guadalupe 5/18/2014 "Let's Keep the Light on HIV," - 7:30pm - 8:30pm - AIDS Quilts, Speakers, remembrances, music, prayers and more. Free community service literature, condoms, bottle water, Commemorative AIDS Candles & Red AIDS Ribbons available for all attendees while supplies last. Free and Confidential HIV Testing before and after the Service will be offered from 4pm until 9:30pm. Testing is provided by The Austin/Travis County Health & Human Services. Look for their mobile trailer located around 4th & Lavaca Streets in the Warehouse District, One Block from Republic Square Park. Participants are encouraged to bring loved ones both to get tested and join the Service to honor those living and those who have passed from HIV/AIDS. Speakers at the Service will range from Texas House of Representative Elliott Naishtat providing updates from the state level and Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez who will present and read a city proclamation and give remarks. In addition, Austin/Travis County Public Health Program Specialist Katherine Cantrell will present local HIV/AIDS programs & updates as well as Dr. David Barstow - President of EMPACT Africa, who will discuss international progress on HIV stigma and discrimination as human right issues. The evening's Featured Speaker will be Ms. Tami Schroeder. Schroeder began her journey fighting AIDS when her brother died in 1995 from the disease. Her struggles from his loss ultimately lead her to serve on the EMPACT Africa Board. Her work has been focused on eliminating the stigma of AIDS in South Africa and most recently working with the US State Department to enhance coverage of HIV Stigma and Discrimination in the annual Human Rights Report. Speakers bios and pictures also highlighted on the web www.facebook.com/Austin15thAnnualAIDSCandlelightMemorialService Area HIV/AIDS Service Organization Representatives will be made available for any additional assistance immediately following the Service. We Are Here For You! Service Only - (In Case of Rain: Bethell Hall at St. David’s Episcopal Church located at: 301 E. 8th Street. - Austin) Both HIV Testing and Service are Free and Open to Public Austin and the State of Texas proudly boasts the claim of having the longest & oldest running AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service in the state. As of this posting, Austin is the only city registered in the state to host the event to date. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service is Always Hosted the 3rd Sunday of Every May. Next year’s AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service is slated for Sunday, May 17, 2015. Please Save the Date. Sunday, May 18 is also HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD). This observance provides an opportunity to recognize and thank the many volunteers, community members, health professionals, and scientists who are working together to find a safe & effective preventive HIV vaccine. Whereas there is still no cure or vaccine for HIV, prevention is the key. (AIDS.gov) Stop the Stigma! - Know And Disclose Your Status to both Yourself and Your Partner. Let's Stop HIV Today. ********************************************** Our Heartfelt Appreciation Goes Out With Loving Support & Contributions by: Mr. Brett Bachus - Classical Service Music - Piano Ms. Lindsey Kane - Vocalist/Performer Mr. Todd Kinney & Mr. Robert Josef Cross - Sound Equipment Ms. Shanika Cornelius, Ms. Anne Child & RESULTS Commemorative AIDS Candles and Mr. Kyle Johnson & Lisa Harr at Bumper Active for the candle labels. (www.bumperactive.com) Mr. Issac Sanchez and Mr. Aaron Yeats - Flyer Distribution Mr. Tom Marek / MinuteMan Press - Flyers and Poster (www.minutemanpress.com) Mr. Fritz Blaw / Motorblade Postering Service - Flyer Distribution (www.motorblade.com) Mr. Casey Garner & Mr. David Sandoval / Post Net Far West - Theme Banner. (www.postnet.com) - Theme Banner Mr. Roger Temme & The Care Communities - RED AIDS Ribbons Mr. Marcus Sanchez, Mr. Joe McAdams & AIDS Services of Austin ASA - Programs, Condoms & Flyers AIDS Services of Austin, The Care Communities and Community AIDS Resources & Education (CARE) - Flyers Mr. Issac Sanchez and Mr. Alan Stewart - Midtowne Spa Austin (MTS - www.midtownespa.com) - Free Bottles of Water and Condoms. The Austin and Central Texas AIDS Service Provider Organizations & Staff and AIDS Candlelight Committee, The State of Texas and Texas House of Representative Mr. Elliott Naishtat, Travis County and The City of Austin & Austin City Council Member Mr. Mike Martinez. Special Thanks to all our Speakers - Ms. Tami Schroeder, Dr. David Barstow, Ms. Katherine Cantrell and Mr. Eric. A. Crabtree. Also to Rev Bill Young - Invocation, Mr. Roger Temme - Benediction & AIDS Quilts as well as Readers - Mr. Carlos Diaz and Ms. Katie Parker & Mr. Omar Lopez-Jara for coordinating HIV Testing through Austin/Travis County. Additional Gratitude to Mr. Cameron Tavafifard & Waste Partners Environmental Austin - (www.facebook.com/WastePartnersAustin) & Mr. Aaron Yeats and The Austin Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (www.aglcc.org) - Port-A-John at the Park. Kudos and Gratitude also to Ms. Anne Child - Media Coordinator as well as Mr. Gregory Goldston - Keeper of the AIDS Ribbon & General Support and lastly to all our fantastic volunteers making this AIDS Candlelight a success. Gratitude's to Sponsors & Area HIV/AIDS Service Providers Which Include: AIDS Service of Austin (ASA). Austin Area Comprehensive HIV Planning Council. Austin/Travis County Health & Human Services. Community AIDS, Resources and Education (C.A.R.E.). The Care Communities. CommUnity Care - Austin. Community Action, Inc. EmpactAfrica.org The David Powell Health Clinic. The Jack Sansing Dental Clinic. One.org. Out Youth Austin. Private & Public Doctors, Nurses & Health Institutions. Project Transitions. Q Austin. RESULTS. Rural AIDS Services Program The City of Austin Health Department. Waterloo Counseling Center. The Wright House Wellness Center (WHWC). Women Rising Project (WRP). Additional Gratitude's to Other Non Health Service Provider Sponsors Including: Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (www.aglcc.org) L Style G Style -lstylegstyle.com MCC Austin @ Freedom Oaks. Mr. Chase Martin & therepubliq.com Mr. David Thompson. Mr. Felipe Campos. ....As Well as by Many Other Caring Individuals, Orgainizations and by All Attending - Thank You Everyone! For More Information: visit: www.candlelightmemorial.org www.gnpplus.net www.AIDS.org www.EmpactAfrica.org www.facebook.com/Austin15thAnnualAIDSCandlelightMemorialService One may also email your local Area HIV/AIDS Community Service Organization Provider for further details or on how you may get answers, assistance or even volunteer your services, time, or help financially, for all those living with this chronic illness. Thank You for Attending - Be & Play Safe & Be Blessed!