May 2006
In this issue:
- Intro – MAP voted Best Charity
- Special Announcement – State Fair
- What’s new at MAP – Whole Foods events
- This month’s volunteer opportunities – Walk, Tuesday Niters
- Upcoming volunteer opportunities – Tuesday Niters, GLBT Pride
- Did you know? – new HIV numbers
- MAP staff recommends – Positive Link’s Andy Ansell
Intro
MAP voted Best Charity
The City Pages just released their “Best of 2006,” with MAP as “Best Charity.” You can read all the details here. This is also a reflection of you, our solid and committed volunteer base, and you should all feel like you are part of this honor. Thank you for your support!
Special Announcement
State Fair
Last month, we updated you on MAP AIDSLine funding cuts from the Minnesota Department of Health. You can keep track of the situation on the MAP Public Policy website. One of the many unfortunate results of this funding cut is that, for the first time in 20 years, MAP will not be able to have a booth at the MN State Fair. The funds we used to pay for the space and the materials came from the MAP AIDSLine budget, and are therefore no longer available. When MAP first started at the Fair, the Internet didn’t exist so this was our best way to share general info with the public on a large scale. Although things have changed, this decision was not made lightly and we considered many options. Knowing that we have so many bright volunteers willing to educate fairgoers about HIV makes it even harder. I know many of you have several years of MAP State Fair booth experience under your belt. I hope you consider using this experience to volunteer for the MAP booth at Twin Cities GLBT Pride or other community events and festivals. Thanks for the years you’ve spent helping us educate tens of thousands of Minnesotans about HIV at the Fair. If you have any questions about this announcement, please don’t hesitate to contact Jessica at 612-373-9160.
What’s new at MAP
Whole Foods events
Whole Foods Market is supporting the Minnesota AIDS Walk with two events. Stop by and join the fun! We’re looking for volunteers for these events; for information, email Jessica.
May 13 – Minnesota AIDS Walk Pre-registration Day
Both the Minneapolis and St. Paul Whole Foods stores will be promoting the Walk with a MAP table and some yummy samples of all red food. They will also be giving pasta and sauce to anyone who pledges $40. Check it out between 2 and 5 pm.
May 24 – 5% Day to benefit the Minnesota AIDS Walk
For the first time, both locations will be collaborating on a 5% Day to benefit the same organization. Save your shopping until after Walk Day and stock up on May 24, when 5% of all proceeds from both stores will go to the MN AIDS Walk.
This month’s volunteer opportunities
 Minnesota AIDS Walk
Walk Day will be a powerful day of activism, fundraising and community spirit. Volunteer trainings begin May 8, so if you would like to volunteer, now is a great time to sign up! Would you like to show off your strength as part of the Morning Muscle Crew? Do you have a knack for décor that would benefit the Decorations Crew? Is your inner cheerleader longing to encourage Walkers along the route as a Route Marshal? Visit our website for information on the different opportunities available and to sign up.
Whole Foods 5% Day
If you are still in the mood for volunteering once the Walk is over, you're in luck! On May 24, both the St. Paul and Minneapolis locations of Whole Foods Market are holding a 5% Day, on which 5% of all proceeds will benefit the 2006 MN AIDS Walk. Volunteers will be at both locations to talk about the work we do at MAP and how wildly successful the Walk was! Volunteers will be scheduled in shifts between 11 am and 7 pm. Email Jessica if you can help out.
Tuesday Niters
Join us May 9 from 4:30 – 7 pm for Tuesday Niters, MAP’s drop-in volunteer night. We’ll be preparing supplies for the Walk, eating pizza and having great conversations. To RSVP, email Jessica.
Upcoming volunteer opportunities
Tuesday Niters
Now that our special events season is drawing to a close, Tuesday Niters will return to our regular schedule of meeting on the second Tuesday of each month, through December. To join the Tuesday Niters email reminder list, email Jessica.
Twin Cities GLBT Pride
June 24 & 25
Mark your calendars for one of the most festive weekends in town. Once again, MAP will have a tent in the Park on both days. We will also be marching in Sunday’s parade to collect change for the Every Penny Counts Emergency Assistance Fund. We will send out more complete information at the end of May.
Did you know?
New HIV Numbers
On April 17, the Minnesota Department of Health released the 2005 data for HIV rates in Minnesota. In 2005, 304 new cases of HIV were reported in Minnesota, which equates to a new case reported about every 29 hours. Of great concern however is that in 2005, there was a 21.5% jump in new cases amongst gay men, and African-born Minnesotans and African Americans continue to be disproportionately affected. Young people between 13 and 24 years old accounted for 17% of new infections in Minnesota. There are now 5,233 people known to be living with HIV disease in Minnesota, and approximately 2,500 that are positive but do not know they’re infected For more information, view the profile.
MAP staff recommends
Andy Ansell, Health Education Coordinator for the Positive Link program, empowers people living with HIV to expand their abilities to be open about their HIV status. Positive Link's belief is that the more open a person is about their status, the healthier they are. He recommends:
Book
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Okay, for you people who think Harry Potter books are for kids or you don't want to buy into the hype, I've got to tell you that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a great book. I never read a Harry Potter book before this one and now I'm hooked. If you haven't read the earlier installments rent the DVDs and get caught up and then read the book. The good news is that once you finish Phoenix, the sixth book in the series Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is waiting too.
Movie
Brick
Brick is in theaters now. This film is a throw back to film noir detective movies of the '30s and '40s set against the backdrop of life in high school. This stylized thriller matches amazing performances and a smart script to produce a truly unique movie unlike anything you've seen.
Last Updated:
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
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