Community Care HIV/AIDS Project/Drop In Center wants to thank the citizens of Lake County for helping produce another successful AIDSWALK. With a $55 million cutback in the State Office of AIDS (who fund most of our programs) and cuts to social service agencies our clients depend on, we know that every penny counts.

The AIDSWALK 2008 funds provided continued resources for clients in a program that was bankrupted early. These resources included monthly food and gas vouchers and therapy for clients in crisis.

The diverse communities that make up Lake County came together and had a beautiful day in Austin Park. We want to thank the CLO United Methodist Church for their booth, choir, walkers and the loan of tables and enthusiastic volunteers.

So many participants helped make this a success in spite of very trying times. Thank yous go out to Loch Lomond Roadhouse for great food, Any Positive Change, Hospice Services, Moran’s Pharmacy, Lodi Pharmacy, CLO/Glenhaven Business Association, Lakeside Clinic and Dr. Marshall Kubota (and his great, big heart), Supervisor Denise Rushing, Stonewall Democratic Club, Lake County Pride, Yuba College students, Lake Center For Support, “Jack” and Alcoholics Anonymous.

CCHAP clients provided a great crafts booth featuring tie-dye clothing and jewelry. The band, “Lefty” played boogie dance music all day long and it was fun to dance and watch others enjoy themselves- rockin’ out with “Lefty.” The Lake County Department of Public Health stayed open all day and provided many fast HIV tests for folks who otherwise may not have been tested. Thank you city of Clearlake, police and fire departments. .

Donations are appreciated from Piedmont Lumber, Red &White Market, Rite-Aide, Foods Etc., Safeway and The Stonewall Democratic Club.

Great raffle prizes were furnished from Lake Place Resort, Lake Vu Cottages, Edgewater and Ferndale Resorts, Shannon Ridge, Buckingham Golf, Edwina Young and The Lucerne Neighborhood Association, Chuck Slocum, Hardester’s Market, Ting’s Thai Kitchen, Wine Country Salon, Studio 175, Bealuh’s Restaurant, Main Street Pizza, Middletown Beauty Center, Dream Salon & Nail Spa, Havy’s Restaurant, Mugshot’s Express and Ed & Linda’s.

We are indebted to our corporate sponsors who really “stepped up” to support us: Sutter Hospital, Lakeside Herbal Solutions and Liz Byrd, Moran’s Pharmacy and Lodi Pharmacy. A special thank you to Denise Rockenstein at The Record Bee/Clearlake Observer and Elizabeth Larson at www.lakeconews.com . Thank you so much Allan Markowski/PEG Channel 8 for the terrific TV infomercial.

Thanks again to Jan Molini, Kim White, Harold and Bill of “Our Stories Ourselves,” community radio 88.1 FM and all CCHAP and community walkers/volunteers.

Last but not least, a shout-out to our hard workin’ staff: Dennis, Marti, Michelle, Kathy, Sarah, Troy, Sandy and me.

Ken Young is the CCHAP Drop In Center Program coordinator.