My friend Henry was a charmer. He had a beautiful “Lowcountry” accent and could tell the most engaging and hilarious stories. He was a volunteer in early AIDS work and the first person to educate me about AIDS and how it was impacting people in Charlotte. Over time, he became the older brother I never had and it broke my heart when he died from AIDS. His influence is one of the key reasons I started RAIN.

Many of you have told me similar stories about the people who’ve influenced you and why you care so deeply about HIV/AIDS.

Most of the people RAIN serves have incomes of less than $13,000. Many are homeless, and a growing number are younger than 25 years old. The majority need help with transportation, housing, medication, counseling and support groups. RAIN is currently facing a funding gap due to Sequestration (Federal spending cuts), so funds raised from this year’s AIDS Walk are especially critical.I hope you’ll register today if you haven’t already. Log in at www.AIDSWalkCharlotte.org and follow the simple instructions. You’ll be raising money in no time.

N.C. Governor Pat McCrory’s state budget proposes an $8 million cut to ADAP, the program that provides life-saving medications to low-income North Carolinian citizens living with HIV/AIDS. More than 6,500 people access medication through the program, and RAIN assists local HIV-positive people with eligibility and applications. We are taking local advocates to Raleigh on April 9 to show support for full funding of ADAP. Please stay informed about the issues impacting HIV at www.ncaan.org.  

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

- Debbie

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.