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| Home History & Mission Donations Volunteer Opportunities 15th
Annual Walk for AIDS Residents'
Bill of Rights House
of Mercy's 2007 (non)Event
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15th
Annual Walk for AIDS Surpasses
Fundraising Goal When
it rains, it pours! An
outpouring of support from dedicated volunteers resulted in $32,000
raised for House of
Mercy at our 15th Annual Walk for AIDS on April 5th. On a rainy
Saturday morning, over 100 hardy souls with raincoats and umbrellas
participated in the 3-mile walk. They achieved their goal to raise
AIDS awareness and funds to support low-income persons living with
advanced AIDS at House of Mercy.
right:
Jamundo members provided upbeat world music preceding the walk. Dennis
Shearin played the oud and Kirk Lohry played percussion.
Mediterranean
music was provided by Jamundo (“jam” for improvisation and
“mundo” for world) during the walk registration. Stan Patterson,
House of Mercy President, welcomed participants and introduced
speakers at 10 am. Beatrice Thompson of WBAV FM radio, 2008 Honorary
Walk Chair, inspired participants with her personal observations of
the AIDS crisis and heroic responses.
left: Stan Patterson listens to Beatrice Thompson’s message on the importance of embracing and supporting those with HIV/AIDS. right: Honorary Walk for AIDS Chairperson Beatrice Thompson listens to Michael Hardesty share his story with walk participants.
Michael
Hardesty, a former resident now living in Charlotte, talked about how
House of Mercy transformed his life during a challenging crisis with
AIDS. Michael
said, “…the doctor recommended that I go to the House of Mercy.
There I would have a chance to be around some people who really
understood what I was going through in my last days… After a few
months went by, I noticed that I started to gain weight, my strength had
started to return and I was generally feeling better. When I went to see
the doctor, he was impressed that my white blood cell count had climbed
to 110. It was real fast and the funny thing about it is that I was
taking the same medicine that I was taking at home. I mean the exact
same, not one pill different. "Eight
months later, my doctor and Shirley (Stowe, Director of Nursing) and I
began discussing a discharge plan because my health had improved… When
I was discharged from House of Mercy, I was dependent on a walker… and
now walk with a cane! I enjoy spending time with my family and my
relationship with my son has started to grow again. I have currently
joined the ticket to work program and with the help of vocational
rehabilitation, should be entering into a job placement program soon.
I’m just one person House of Mercy has helped. There have been so many
before me…”
left:
Terry Smith, Captain of the Wachovia Cares Team, walks down Main Street
in Belmont on a drizzly April morning.
right: Gaston County Health Department HELP Team volunteers carry the lead banner for the 15th Annual Walk for AIDS. Following
the speakers, walkers traveled down Main Street and through beautiful
areas of Belmont. After the walk, participants picked up picnic
lunches at the House of Mercy residence and awaited the announcement of
top fundraisers.
right:
L
to R - Friends of Doug Team members Margaret Crites, Christie Dellinger,
Becky Raxter and Margaret Bollinger. Congratulations
to our top fundraising teams:
● 1st Place - Friends of Doug (Newton) Team, Captain Becky
Raxter
● 2nd Place -Wachovia Cares Team, Captain Terry Smith ● 3rd Place - Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Church Team, Captain Ned Sergew
right:
John
Owens, left, and friends arrive at the reception on the House of Mercy
grounds. Congratulations
also to our top individual fundraisers and for best banner: ● 1st Place - John Owens
● 2nd Place - Scott Cloninger ● 3rd Place - Fritts Biesecker● Best banner Margaret Bollinger
left:
Scott Cloninger, center, embraces his parents at the walk reception.
right: The Friends of Michael Team walked in memory of Michael Duft, a House of Mercy residentWe will continue to update the information below as more funds are received. Last update was April 21, 2008.
TEAMS
AMOUNT RAISED
Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors and
Friends
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