LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Safe |
by Sal Seeley |
Sundance: Last Dance, Last Chance for Love
Not! Although I hate to admit it, fall is coming and the summer is almost over! We are busy getting ready for Sundance which is our last big event of the summer and it signals to many that the summer is over. While the summer is ending, not much else is! And yes, it isn't your last chance for love. Keep playing safely! Do you remember that song that Donna Summer used to sing? "Last Dance"? My buddy, Dave, an old Disco Bunny, says if you ever heard it you knew you were going home alone because you had not found Mr. Right. Of course the song lasted for about four minutesjust long enough for one last try! Even though the summer is ending and we are getting ready for the last dance of the season there is still time to find Mr. Rightseveral times! And after the dance we still have lots of time to find him so don't fret and don't forget your safe sex supplies which include lots of lube, condoms and plenty of knowledge. This summer has been a little different from many others. It is my fifth year doing beach outreach and it sure seems to have been the hottest summer yet. From the number of condoms we have distributed it sure looks like it has been even hotter someplace besides the beach! Keep it up guys! (No pun intended) Keep using our supplies and being always prepared to be safe at what you do. Going through the condoms and lube that we have this summer is really a great measure of success. I have had two great helpers this summer. Andreas is a law student who has spent his summer and his beach time helping me hand out condoms and answer questions as part of earning some extra college cash. Mohawk Mike has simply volunteered to join us on the beach and in the bars. He too, has done a fantastic job answering questions and handing out our little packets and being our costume designer and resident artist. If you see either of these guys, be sure to give them a big thank you. It is a hard job handing out 50,000 condoms. I have appreciated their support, company, humor and dedication. Andreas and Mike have helped me hand out those little packets that mean so much to your health, safety and pleasure but did you know how much effort it takes to wrap those little boxes? For this we have had about eight to twelve men and one exceptional woman who have given up several Monday eveningsand a few other days in betweento package those little buggers. It is amazing to watch their skill, dexterity, and dedication to helping with this task. It is a fun bunch. Join us for our next wrapping party! The summer has brought us lots of interesting people, interesting questions and lots of satisfaction. But just because the summer is ending, doesn't mean our efforts will. You just may not get to see me in my swimsuit again till next summer! I am still going to be handing out condoms, answering questions, offering testing and counseling. I will still be in the office, in the bars, on the internet and always willing to help! I am a lucky man to have this job which I enjoy so much. I am lucky to have the helpers I have and I am lucky to be in such a wonderful community. Thank you all for a wonderful summer. Come see me! Ask me some questions and check out my supplies! Sal Seeley is Program Director of CAMPsafe, an HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention program funded through a contract with the Delaware Division of Public Health. Free HIV testing is offered at CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Avenue. For information, call Sal at 302-227-5620 or e-mail salvatoreseeley@aol.com. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 15, No. 12 August 26, 2005 |