Rotary AIDS project looks for volunteers

The Enumclaw Rotary Club, teaming up with World Vision, invites churches and community groups to join volunteers worldwide who assist AIDS victims by either helping generate funds for the purchase of, or providing volunteers for the assembly of, Caregiver Kits as part of an Enumclaw community project.

April 28, 2009 12:32 am
Local volunteers prepare the kits for use overseas.
Local volunteers prepare the kits for use overseas.

The Enumclaw Rotary Club, teaming up with World Vision, invites churches and community groups to join volunteers worldwide who assist AIDS victims by either helping generate funds for the purchase of, or providing volunteers for the assembly of, Caregiver Kits as part of an Enumclaw community project.

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

This World Vision project supports the 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 at two ways to join the Enumclaw effort – help raise the necessary funds – or come together to assemble the kits from 1 to 3 p.m. June 6 at the Enumclaw Community (senior) Center.

“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. In addition, other community groups have also expressed an interest in participating.

To join the effort, or for information, contact the Enumclaw Rotary Club by visiting www.enumclawrotary.com and click on the International Services link on the left side of the homepage or contact Nancy Baer at 360-825-4484.