The Enumclaw Rotary Club is again teaming up with World Vision, inviting local churches, community groups and individuals to join volunteers worldwide who assist AIDS victims by either helping generate funds to purchase, or providing volunteers to assemble, Caregiver Kits. Last year the Enumclaw Community raised more than $5,000 and assembled 175 kits.

This year there is another way to get involved and have a great breakfast. Between 8 and 10 a.m. May 1 have a complete pancake and eggs breakfast at the Bonney Lake Applebee’s for $10 and half the money will go toward the purchase of an AIDS Caregiver Kits. That morning Enumclaw Rotarians will be the waiters and waitresses and Applebee’s kitchen staff will do the cooking.

Anyone or any group can get involved with this international project.

This World Vision project supports native volunteers who are already trying to care for the nearly 40 million people currently infected with HIV with very few tools. Nearly 3 million people die as a result of AIDS each year with a total of 25 million people dying since it was first identified in the 1980s. Today, one in every eight people contracting HIV is a child under age 15. There have been some improvements in preventing infection and conversion to AIDS, but many of the victims are in very poor areas with little or no health care. The village volunteer may be one of the few care providers available.

The Caregiver Kits are strong cases filled with anti-diarrheal medicine, batteries and flashlight, acetaminophen, cotton balls, washcloths, notebook and pen, latex gloves, petroleum jelly, soap, and, what touches the volunteer caregiver the most, a personal note thanking them for their work. Each kit cost $30 dollars. Kit contents are supplied and then shipped by World Vision – with the kit assembly done by community organizations.

There are three ways to join the Enumclaw effort – help raise the necessary funds; enjoy a breakfast May 1; or come together to assemble the kits from 1 to 3 p.m. June 12 at the Enumclaw Community Center, 1350 Cole St.

“This is wonderful way for our community to reach out to another needful community,” Rotary organizers said.

Enumclaw Rotary Club is supporting this event as an international project and has contributed $500. Other community groups have also expressed an interest in participating.

To join the effort, see photos of last year’s event or for information, contact the Enumclaw Rotary Club by visiting www.enumclawrotary.com and look under upcoming events on the homepage. To e-mail a question, click on the International Services link on the left side of the homepage or contact Nancy Baer at 360-825-4484.