World AIDS Day To Be Observed In Eastern Sussex County
December 1, 2009 marks the 22nd time that the global community has paused in a special way to consider the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on our world. World AIDS Day is a way to remember loved ones who are living or have died from this disease, but it is more than that. It is also about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. This year’s World AIDS Day events in eastern Sussex County address all of those lofty goals.
In downtown Rehoboth Beach, the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center will be hosting an exhibit of artwork for the entire month of December, created by George Towne, Greg Mitchell, and Richard Rinaldi, artists living with HIV/AIDS. A reception will be held on December 1 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The art work comes from Visual AIDS, a New York City organization that provides mini-grants to HIV positive artists throughout the country. “There is a language of art that speaks to lots of people who may not be comfortable in large crowds,” explains Sal Seeley, CAMPsafe Program Director at CAMP Rehoboth. “Here, in a private setting, people will be able to get a sense of how HIV/AIDS has played out in the lives of these artists.”
Following the reception, the focus shifts to the Bandstand on Rehoboth Avenue at the Boardwalk. The community is invited to gather there for a short program at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Candlelight Walk through the downtown area. The Walk will end at All Saints’ Episcopal Church (18 Olive Avenue) with a Service of Remembrance and Hope, which will begin at approximately 7:00 p.m. This service includes the reading of the names of persons who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. “It’s a bittersweet experience,” says CAMP Board President Murray Archibald. “We continue to mourn the loss of many wonderful people, but we also celebrate who they were and the impact they had on our lives.” Special music will be provided by the newly formed CAMP Chorus, among others. The service will conclude with a light supper in the Fellowship Hall next door, courtesy of The Taste of Italy (33 Baltimore Avenue) and the parishioners at All Saints’ Church.
The World AIDS Day events in Rehoboth Beach have always been a collaborative project, and this year’s is no different. Involved in planning the Candlelight Walk and the Service of Remembrance and Hope were representatives from AIDS Delaware, All Saint’s Church, CAMP Rehoboth, the Cape Gazette, the Delaware HIV Consortium, and Epworth United Methodist Church.
Epworth United Methodist Church (19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach) will be displaying four panels of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt through December 7th. The quilt panels will be hung in the Fellowship Hall there. According to Ken Mahan, an Epworth staff member, “As a church, Epworth has a rich history of opening its arms and its doors to the HIV positive community. For many years, Epworth was the site of Rehoboth’s World AIDS Day services. We wanted to continue that involvement in our new facility by displaying Quilt panels here.”
AIDS awareness activities will also be taking place in northeast Sussex County. Faith, Hope and Love Christian Fellowship (218 North Rehoboth Boulevard, Milford) will be the site of “An Evening of Remembrance: Stop AIDS. Keep The Promise.” This community awareness and educational program will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the church. The community is invited to attend.
There are now estimated to be 33.2 million people in the world living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2007 some 2.5 million people became newly infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35. Currently, there are 3,568 Delawareans living with HIV disease.
Photos: HIV+ Exhibit; World AIDS Campaign
Rehoboth World AIDS Day Schedule of Events
Dec 1 - 4:30-6:00 PM Reception for HIV+ Artists Exhibit featuring the work of Greg Mitchell, George Towne, and Richard Rinaldi at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, 37 Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach
Dec 1 - 6:15-6:30 PM Pre-Walk gathering and candle lighting at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, Rehoboth Avenue at the Boardwalk
Dec 1 - 6:30 PM Candlelight Walk begins at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand and proceeds down Rehoboth Avenue, ending at All Saints' Church, 18 Olive Avenue in Rehoboth Beach
Dec 1 - 7:00 PM Service of Remembrance and Hope (including the reading of the names) at All Saints' Church, 18 Olive Avenue in Rehoboth Beach
Dec 1 - 7:45 PM Light supper at All Saints' Episcopal Church with desserts by Taste of Italy
Through December HIV+ Art Exhibit continues at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, 37 Baltimore Avenue
To volunteer or to have the name of a family member or friend who has died from AIDS added to the list of names to be read at the service, call the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center 302-227-5620 or email editor@camprehoboth.com.