Community giving tree marks World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is observed this year on Saturday, December 1. This date marks 31 years since the first AIDS case was reported in the U.S.
This year, the local HIV/AIDS community, led by the Deschutes County Health Services HIV Prevention Program, is honoring local non-profit agencies that support a variety of local populations in need, by coordinating a Community Giving Tree.
Many advances in medicine have occurred since HIV first was discovered, allowing people with HIV and AIDS to live much longer and healthier lives. Throughout the past 31 years, many of our local agencies, along with organizations around the world, have made it their mission to educate, treat, and support these clients.
Deschutes County HIV Prevention Program staff and volunteers are decorating a Community Giving Tree on Saturday, December 1, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. in the main lobby of the Deschutes Public Library-downtown Bend location.
Each agency is represented on the Giving Tree by a set of paper “ornaments” listing specific items that are needed by clients. A drop-off donation location unique to each agency is included on each ornament. Community members are encouraged to choose an ornament and return it later with the requested donation item(s), to the address on the ornament. At the event, volunteers and staff from the County and representatives from the non-profit agencies will answer questions and speak about their programs.
Agencies that are featured on the Giving Tree are: Bend Senior Center, Mountain Star Family Relief Nursery, ASCOCC Food Pantry, Bethlehem Inn, Shepard’s House, Saving Grace, and the Bend Community Center.
After the event, the tree will move to a permanent location in the main lobby of Bend Memorial Clinic’s (BMC) east Bend location at 1501 NW Medical Center Drive. The ornaments will be replenished so residents can take them for donating purposes throughout the month. The tree will be removed from BMC on December 14.
