The holidays and end of 2011 are almost here. As you prepare to celebrate with family and friends, I hope your days are meaningful and filled with happiness and joy.

Here at RAIN we are preparing to celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2012! We're extremely proud of all that RAIN has accomplished and we cherish your commitment and care for people living with HIV.

We are now in a special donor campaign and have raised $60,000 toward our goal of $100,000. Please include RAIN in your end of year charitable giving and help us reach our goal. You can make your tax deductible donation online or you may mail your donation to PO Box 37190, Charlotte, NC 28237.

Thank you for your generosity. Best wishes for a joyous holiday season!

Rev. Debbie Warren
President & CEO

Last week on World AIDS Day I read many beautiful remembrances of friends and family members on Facebook. Statistics and facts about HIV can be overwhelming and can cause us to withdraw, but the story of a real person touches our emotions and opens us to understanding. 

Ten stories of HIV positive people were read by local celebrities during the inaugural VOICES Project last week. When the celebrities finished, the real people behind the stories stood in the audience to rousing applause. 

Afterwards, one writer, Robert, said that when he was invited to stand and be recognized he didn’t think that he would have the courage to show everyone in the room that he is living with HIV. He said it took only a split second for him to decide to give up his anonymity because he felt he was in a safe place where he would be accepted and loved. 

Providing a community where people with HIV can be accepted and loved is the heart of RAIN’s mission. A new generation of HIV positive youth seeks the same compassion that our friends sought 20 years ago. May our love for friends lost fuel our acts of care today.

May all be healed, may all be comforted and may all be loved.