RAINBOW_vol7no4.pdf
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- RAINBOW_vol7no4.pdf
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THE RAINBOW
A Publication
of RegionalAIDSInterfaithNetworkOklahoma
Volume7 Number4
November1996
RAINStaffMembersReceiveHighHonors
TheDirector'sDesk
Parrea S. Cross,MPH
Executive Director
Oldahorra Crty Off ire:
Joan R.Foreman
WesternOK Coordinator
WesieyT.Wrse
Executive Secretary
~:;
Rev. Kathy McCall"
JenoMMl<hamClewe"
Volunteer Coordinators
Epscq:el Church Center
924 N. Rob+nso<1
Oldahorra City OK 73 I 02-5814
405.232.4372 fa>c405.232.4912
Outside the Metro area:
1.800.324.RAIN (7246)
EasternOK Office:
Kathleen
R.B1nl
Eastern OK Coordinator
Stephen Davo
Secretary
Jeffrey Knox
Volunteer Coordinator
HIV Resource Consortium
4 154 S. Harvard, Su<e H-1
TulsaOK74135-2602
918.749.4195 fa>c918.749.4213
Soutrr..est OK Office:
SaundraPCM1ell
SW OK AssociateCoordinator
Centenary
Un<ed Methodot Church
704 SW •o·Avenue
Lawton OK 7350 I
405.351 AIDS
~it
~ice<;!°''
EducationCoordinator
Loeffler-Alien Bu1ld1rg
s!i'Eo~'&,7
91rm.4433
Northwest OK Office:
Alisa Hankins
NW OK AssociateCoordinator
PO!lc><5724
Enid OK 73702
405.234.3683
e-rrall: rai~ionet.net
Horre Page:
oi<lahon"an.neVronnectoons/rarn
Boarda Directon;:
Ms. Yvonne Allen
Rev.Melvin Bai',ey
Ms. Glora Bellymuie
Mr. T"'1"f11'Chesbro
Mr. Stephen Daniels
Ms. ErnestineD1lwd
Rev.J1mElier
Mr. Charles Faudree
Mr. Luo Lopez
Ms. Saurdra Lucas
Mr. Brad Mulholland
Rev.John Noc:holas
Mr. Peter G. Pierce Ill
Ms. Janice P~
Ms. Cathenne
r
Leooard N. Slater. D
Ms. Manlyn Staats
RAINOldahorra • a Merrber d
AIDS NatoonalInterfaith Networi<
(A~IN)
NatoonalM1nontyAl DS Courcil
(NMAq
.
wish they would find a cure. Life is
a preciousgift and I would like to
have it.11 Hydeia L. Broadbent, 12
yearsold and livingwith AIDS.
Hope is a paradox- strongyet fragile.
Webster defineshope as 1to cherisha
desire with expectationof fulfillment.11 We
relishthe new hopefulnessand we share
with you three reasonsto celebrate.
Mer monthsof planning,the
HIV/AIDS ACTION INITIATIVE for NE
OKC was launched. This project
representsthe hopesand dreamsof a
dozen organizations,many concerned
citizensand clergyand the OklahomaCity
Community Foundation. RAJ
N is honored
to be selectedto administerthe major
grant and work with the InitiativeAdvisory
Group. The goalof the Initiativeis to
prevent HIV infectionin AfricanAmericans
through educationand to assistlocalAfrican
Americanfaith communitiesin developing
programsthat reflect a compassionate
responseto those impactedby HIV/AIDS.
InitiativeCoordinator, PatrickBaker,is
working hard to be a visiblesource of
informationand education.
Patrickgot involvedin the fight against
AIDS when he learnedof its impacton the
Blackcommunityand heard predictions
that by the year 2000, halfthe people
infectedwith HIV will be Blackthough
Blacksmake up only about I 5% of the
population. The year 2000 isjust three
yearsaway and he knowsthere is so much
educatingabout HIV to be done in the
Blackcommunity.
'When it comesto AIDS, the Black
community is virtuallysilent,somewhat like
a stateof shockas if AIDS isthe final blow
to the Blackrace. On the other hand,the
clergyand community organizationswe
haveencounteredhavewelcomed the
Initiative. The most challengingpart is
gettingthrough to a contact personwithin
the church."
Receivinga big hug from BillieJean
King was icingon the cakefor Joan
Foreman when she and Gloria Bellymule
were honored as "LocalLegendsin the
FightAgainstAIDS"by CarePointInc. and
the NationalAIDS FundOctober 5. Joan
and Gloria were recognizedfor the
outstandingdedicationand steadfast
commitment and will havetheir names
addedto the wall of the NationalWomen1s
Museumin Seneca,NY. At the Red
Ribbon Rallybefore the LegendsTennis
Tournament, Mike Fischer,presidentof
CarePoint1s Boardof Directors
acknowledgedJoan1s work startinga free
massageprogramfor PLWAs and
beginningthe AIDS counselingprogram at
Red Rock Mental Health Center.
Addingto Joan'senjoymentof the
eveningseventswas the presenceof her
family - husbandLarry, daughtersSuzie
and Angie,sistersCris and Judyand
brother-in-law Wayne. Joandescribedher
feelingsat beinghonored in this way as
uexciting,great, tremendous, and
grateful.• All of us at RAIN are proud of
Joanand pleasedwith her deserved
recognition!
In Tulsaon October 15, another
valued RAIN staffmember receivedthe
TulsaChapter American Red Cross
ExceptionalVolunteer Award. The
William M. ProbesAward representsthe
pinnacleof direct servicevolunteerismand
was presentedto Dannette Russell-Geren
in a ceremony at the EmbassySuites.
DescribingDannette, RogerDahl stated
"sherepresentsthe strengthof character,
idealism,dedicationand commitment to
e)(cellenceBill Probesembodied -the traits
that makethe Red Crossstrong. She has
chairedthe American IndiansDecisionto
SurviveCommittee, guidingthe curriculum
to completion.
November
!996
1 TheRAINbow
Wrt:hher tenacityand dedication
to her heritage,she haskept the
door open for preservationof
American Indiansagainstthis life
threateningdisease. Our award
winner hasthe abilityto break
down the culturalbarriersthrough
her quiet, sensitive,respectful
demeanor ...."
Dannetteis the only
InstructorTrainer in the American
IndianHIV/AIDStrainingso she
often is askedto travel to other
statesto conductcoursesfor
AmericanIndians. Upon receiving
this award, Dannettesaidthat she
was very honored by it because
she knew Bill Probeswhen he
was the CEO of Red Cross(he
died about three yearsago)so it
meant even more. Mr. Probes
loved Indianculture and was very
supportive.RAIN is fortunateto
have Dannetteasour Education
Coordinator in Creek County.
OKC Metro-Men's Chorus
SlatesHoliday Concert
Portion of Proceeds to Benefit RAIN
The OKC Metre-Men's
Choruswill present "A Southwestern Christmas"Thursday,
December 19 at OCU's Petree
Theater. The concert is scheduled
to beginat 8:07 pm.
The chorus is donating20%
of the proceedsto RAIN
Oklahoma.Ticketsare $ I 0.00 in
advance,$15.00at the door.
Ticketsmay be obtainedthrough a
chorus member or by contacting
the OKC RAIN officeat 405-2324372 (or 1-800-324-7246outside
the metro area).
The PetreeTheatre is locatedon
Blackwelderjust north of NW
23rd
DONATIONS
INDIVIDUAL DONORS
PhyllisBrasswood• Don Knight•
Bob Hill • DianaDellinger• Emily
Fleischaker
• Molly Holder • Roy & Aline
Brown • Donez & GeneWomack • Patty
Quarles• Blair& LuannWard.
MONTHLY DONORS
Lawler-Walker,EdmondSouthernHills
RainTeam.JimMcCampbell,OKC Metro
Men'sChorus;MIKEALTMAN by Marge
Odor; PAUL CARPENTERby Stephen
Daniels& RichardMay;DARRON LYON
by Jim& SharonLyon; ROBERTHENRY
by MargaretMary Kongi,RN; ROB
BORDERSby Bob & Norma Borders;
SID SPENCERby OKC Metro Men's
Chorus;MARKKENDALL BARNEYby
KennyBarney;JOE MARKELKOURIby
Mary CatherineSmothermon;WALTER
LEE& JACKSONWILSON by Cheryl
Berry.
Terry L. Knapp• BillieHurst •
Warren & MargaretMay • Jackie&
BarbaraCooper• Carol M. Woods•
JeffreyGaughan• Robert & Delores
Browning• Mary Catherine& Skip
Smotherman.
IN HONOR OF:
LARRYHAMILTON by Mary
CatherineSmothermon;MARUITA
McGUIRE& KATHLEEN
,SOUTHERLAND by David& Donna
Wing; DANNETTE RUSSELLGEREN
by NativeAmericanMinistriesof the
ORGANIZATIONS
GeneralBoardof GlobalMinistriesThe
AmericanRedCross- Topeka,KS•
UMC- NewYork, NY;JEUDI
St. Paul'sUMC - Shawnee,OK•
HAMIL
TON by JillGilley;STEPHEN
OklahomaConferenceof the United
HARDWAY
on hisbirthdayby MC
MethodistChurch - OKC • TillmanBaptist
Smothermon,
NancyS. Murray.
AssociationWMU - Frederick,OK•
Trans-Management
SystemsCorp. IN-KIND DONATIONS
Washington,DC• SC EmPAC- San
SWB PrepaidCallingCards Antonio, TX• FolliesRevue- Tulsa,OK•
Tomme Fent;John& Nancy Bird;Ann
ChristianChurch(DOq in OklahomaJackman;CarolynTaylor; Rev.Karrie
OKC • Okla City Community Foundation
Oertli; NancyTruelove;JudyBland;Dr
(HIV/AIDSAction Initiative)- OKC • OKC
BonnieRitter;JBSchuelein.
Metro Men'sChorus• AmericanRed
Cross- Phoenix,AZ• TulsaRigIron, Inc.
FUNDRAISERS
EnidFolliesRevue•SapulpaPicnic• Tulsa
- Tulsa,OK• ChristianWomen's
Boo Bash.
Fellowship- Hennessey,OK •
Anonymous.
MEMORIALS
JOHN HOCKING by Terry Knapp;
JBCHENOWETH & RANDY HURSTby
BillieHurst; STEPHENMAY by Warren
& MargaretMay;RAYMOND HENRY
KEITH,JR.by Debbie Forgey,Timothy B.
& PatriciaDean Clement,James&Jean
Goodfellow;VINCENT JOSEPH
MAZEO by Robert & JanetWestberg,
MarcellaE. Kovanda,BarbaraBeikmann,
MarleneKunzeDolan, Mildred Kunze,
DianeHuffman,KarenSchmale,Olive
Holtz,JanetPepera,UMCOS Tearn B,Jo
& Robert Hannaman;LARRYNOVAK by
GraceStockstill;DAMON BOSSEby
RuthKnight,Norma Lewis& Nancy
A warm ThankYou goesto
Richard Clifton for offeringfor
salehis lovely handmadeholiday
cards.The saleof the cards
benefitsRAIN and ASP.These
uniquecardsare availableat New
Leaf Floral, 9309 N. Penn Place,
CasadySquare,
OKC, 842-2444.
~
November1996
3 TheRAINbow
News from Around the State
News from the West
Fifteen people attended RAIN
Training in Norman in September and
several RAIN Teams gathered new
members from this training. Thank
you to the staff and members of the
Norman Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship for their hospitality and
hosting the training. RAIN Volunteer
Coordinators, Rev. Kathy McCallie &
Jeni Markham-Clewell were two of
the presenters. Kathy gave the
"Spiritual Concerns" presentation and
Jeni presented the "AIDS IO I" session.
Thank you Kathy and Jeni!
Two attendees, Cristie Walker
and Corrine Smith, are members of
junior League who have chosen AIDS
as their area of focus for their
volunteer work for the coming year.
Cristie will be doing HIV/AIDS
Education/Prevention presentations
for PTA groups and Corrine will be
developing a video about RAIN that
can be used when making community
presentations.
Joan and her daughters traveled
to Washington, DC, on the Epworth
United Methodist bus to see the
Names Project Display of the National
AIDS Quilt. They participated in the
Candlelight March from the Capitol to
the Lincoln Memorial.
•
Plansare being made for the
World AIDS Day Candlelight
Memorial Service to be held Sunday,
December I , at Epworth United
Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.
RAIN intern, Travis Brewer,
Community Health student from the
University of Central Oklahoma, is
helping us organize a RAIN Client
Memorial Book.
The next Western Oklahoma
RAINTraining will be December 7 &
14 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in
Oklahoma City.
The first two AIDS Care Giver
Workshops in September and
October were attended by small, but
enthusiastic, numbers of RAIN T earn
members. Presenters Gail Addis and
Beverly Rapp gave excellent
presentations on "Setting Healthy
Boundaries" and "Creative
Visualization". November's workshop
will feature Art Therapist, Pat Lynn
Moses, and December's workshop
will be on Grief and Bereavement.
News from the East
Temporarily displaced due to the
office flooding, Eastern Oklahoma
Coordinator Kathy Bird appreciates
every-one's patience due to this
.
.
inconvenience.
Jeffrey Knox, Eastern OK
Volunteer Coordinator, has scheduled
an HIV/AIDS panel of PLWAs on
November 13th. A Caregivers and
Boundaries workshop will be held on
February 5th, featuring Dr. Roy
Steinhoff-Smith from Phillips
Seminary.
A continuing education
workshop in Muskogee, January I I th
from I 0:30 am to 4:30 pm, will
benefit the Southeast OK RAIN
Teams.
Eastern OK RAIN Training is
scheduled for January 13, 14, & 15,
from 5:30 pm - 9:00 each night. Call
the Tulsa office for details or
cegistration. -
News From the Northwest
Alisa Hankins, our Northwestern Associate Coordinator, is taking a
leave of absence from her duties in
Enid. When she returns to work on
November 18, she will be working
half-time. She wants to thank all of
the RAIN Board members, staff,
clients and RAIN T earn members
who have telephoned, sent cards and
offered their support during her time
off.
Alisa worked very hard with
others in Enid to put on two fund
raisers to benefit RAIN, OGRA's
"Tumbleweed Ball" on September
14, and a performance of the "Follies
Revue" on September 28 at the
Gaslight Theater in Enid. Both were
wonderful events. Thanks go to the
Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association,
the Enid HIV/AIDS Coalition, Enid
RAIN T earn members, the cast of the
Follies Revue and others who made
these two events possible.
During intermission at the Follies
Revue, Alisa made a touching
presentation to Michael Pontious,
M.D., a physician in Enid to whom the
performance was dedicated.
The November Training has
been rescheduled for January. Alisa
hopes to have the first RAIN Team in
Woodward in place by Spring.
News from the Southwest
In August, Saundra spoke at the
Baptist Comanche-Cotton Association
quarterly meeting and bragged on the
new Friendship Baptist RAIN Team,
currently the only black Southern
Baptist team in the state of Oklahoma.
This team is supported totally by their
pastor, Leroy Adams, and the entire
membership of their church. The
October RAINTraining in Lawton
resulted in additional members for
teams in Duncan, Ardmore, and
Lawton. Saundra is a valuable
resource for pastors needing help for
persons just dropping into their
church office and saying I have
HIV/AIDS and I need help and can I
come to your church ....
Two SW Oklahoma RAIN clients
have been on protease inhibitors for
several months now and their teams
are not getting to do much for them,
just staying in touch. It is really nice
and we celebrate these days of
freedom for our clients.
(News From Around the State
is continued on page 7)
November1996
4 TheRAINbow
HIV Positive?
New state-of-the-art
investigationaldrug therapiesare now
availablein the Southwestfor
HIV/AIDSand opportunisticinfections.
If you are interestedin
participatingin one of the promising
new investigational
therapies,call us at
918-743-1000
StephenT. Peake,MD
Associatesin Medical and Mental Health
2325 5. Harvard,Suite600
TulsaOK74114
•
Calendar
November
18 - SW RegionT earn meetings, Lawton
25 - Eastern& Western OK Regions
Tearn Rep Meetings
December
I - World AIDS Day Community
Memorial Service, Epworth UMC,
OKC, 7 pm; Trinity Episcopal
Church, Tulsa 6:00 pm
7 & 14 - Western OK RAIN Training,
Mt Carmel BaptistChurch, OKC
8 - Care Givers' Workshop - "Grief &
Bereavement",2-5 pm,
RAIN conference room, 924 N.
Robinson,OKC
19 - OKC Metro-Men's Chorus, 8:07
pm, Petree Center, OCU
January
13, 14, & 15 - EasternOK RAIN Team
Training,Tulsa
20 - Stillwater RegionalRAIN T earn
meeting; SW Region RAIN T earn
meeting, Duncan
24 &25 - RAIN Team Training,Warner,
OK
27 - Eastern& Western OK Regions
T earn Rep Meetings
February
9 - Have a Heart Auction, Tramps, OKC
Reader Contribution
Bits and Pieces,Bits and Pieces
People.Peopleimportantto
you, people un-importantto you
crossyour life,touch it with love
and carelessness
and move on.
There are people who leaveyou
and you breathea sighof remorse
and wonder why they hadto go
away and leavesucha gaping
hole. Children leave parents;
friendsleavefriends.Acquaintancesmove on. Peoplechange
homes. Peoplegrow apart.
Enemieshateand move on.
Friendslove and move on. You
think on the many who have
moved into your hazy memory.
Your look on those presentand
wonder.
I believein God's masterplan
in lives.He moves people in and
out of eachother's lives,and each
leaveshis mark on the other. You
find you are made up of bits and
piecesof all who ever touched
your life, and you are more
becauseof it and you would be
lessif they had not touched you...
PrayGod that you acceptthe
bits and piecesin humilityand
wonder, and never question,and
never regret.
Bitsand pieces,Bitsand pieces
-Author unknown
Sharedby Betty Smith,
McFarlinUnited MethodistRAIN
Team, Norman, OK
Editor'snote: TheRA/Nbow'Ne/comes
contributionsfrom our readers.Fax,mail,or
e-mailyour submissionto
Editor,RAINOklahoma
924 N. Robinson
O/dahomaCity, OK 73102
Fax:405-232-49/2
e-mail:rainolda@ionet.net
In
Memoriam
TulsaAll SoulsUnitarianTearn B
Richard
OKC Epworth United Methodist
Team E(lndigo)
Damon
OKC United Methodist
Church of the ServantTearn B
Mike
OKC Southern Hills Baptist
Pat
TulsaCommunity of Hope
Scott
Lawton BarnettChapelAME
Michelle
OKC Epworth United Methodist
Team B (Red)
Chris
Norman
McFarlinUnited Methodist
Steve
Tulsa Unity Center
Anthony
TulsaRainbowTearn
Dennis
Tulsa Fellowship
& Unity SocialOrganization
R F RenfrON,Team Rep
SandSpringsSt. Matthew's Episcopal
Roba/eeWatson, TeamMember
November1996
5 TheRAINbow
HolidayOrnamentsStillAvailable
- - - - - - - Oip and Mail - - - - - - - -
Ornament Sale Benefits RAIN
Ml N's 1996 First Edition Holiday Ornaments are still available at all MIN
offices and several retail stores across the state.
The gold, red, and green collector's edition ornament features a lighted
candle within a holiday wreath intertwined with a red ribbon, the symbol of
AIDS awareness. Hand-crafted in the USA, measuring 2 ½" by 3 ½", it is
engraved with "MIN 1996" on the back.
While ornaments will be available at the OKC Metro-Men's Chorus
concert December 19, you may also call the OKC MIN office (MasterCard and
VISA accepted) or visit the following merchants:
Tulsa:
OKC:
Enid:
Duncan:
Charles Faudree Interiors, 1345 E 15th, ph: 918-747-9706;
Mary Murray's Flowers, 5800 S Lewis, ph: 918-743-6145
Geoffrey's Cards & Gifts, 7650 N Western, ph: 405-843-0833
Garbo's, 4125 W Garriott, (in the mall) ph: 405-242-2240,
Antique Mall, 920 W Main, ph: 405-355-7500
The sale of these Holiday Ornaments helps RAIN Oklahoma raise the
funds needed to carry out its mission of education and service without
relyingon federalor state funding.
------iiiiiiiiiiiiiii•~'
Pleasereserve
for me!
--
holiday ornaments
Ornament price: $15.00 each (includes
tax). Please make checks payable to PAIN
Oklahoma.
Pleasecharge my :
O MasterCard
0 Check/money order enclosed
(pleaseallow I week for delivery)
0 VISA
Expdate
Card number
Name as rt appears on card
........iiiiii------
Street address
Crty
State
Zip
RAIN Update
October 1996
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY:
21 presentations to 792 people.
Total February 1990 to October 1996: 987 programs to 38,835 people. These
include faith congregations, community groups, work place settings, and school
systems.
RAIN TEAM ACTIVITY:
Seventy-six (46 Western OK, 30 Eastern OK) Ml N T earns consisting of
nearly I ,000 people are operating in Oklahoma. Congregations represented
include: African Methodist Episcopal,Assembly of God, Baptist, Catholic,
Christian (Disciples of Christ), Congregational, Episcopal,Jewish, Metropolitan
Community Church, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Quaker (Society of Friends),
Religious Science, Unitarian, and United Methodist.
These teams have served 375 HIV-infected individuals,their families and
care givers. Sixty-fiveclients are being served currently. A team serves a client
for the duration of the illness and is not assignedagain until the team has gone
through a Ml Nbow Retreat followed by a period of time to pr:ocessand deal
with what it has experienced.
AAIN T earn training sessionsare being attended by members of the
medical and mental health community, volunteers for community-based
organizations, family members living with HIV, and church members who want
the education but are not serving on a MIN Team. MIN Volunteers logged
1,485 hours in October 1996.
Daytime phone with area code
Send complete order form with check,
money order or credrt card information
to:
RAINOklahoma
924 N. Robinson
Oklahoma Crty OK 73 I 02
OR
Fax credrt card orders to 405-232-4912
- - - - - - - -Oip and Mail - - - - - - -
Did You Know?
Since February 1990, RAIN
volunteers have given over
I 15,000 hours of service?
That equates to one person,
at 40 hours per week, working a
total of over 55 years!
November1996
6 TheRAINbow
GIVING A GIFT THAT MAKESA DIFFERENCE
Yes, I want to be a RAIN supporter.
Enclosedis my contribution of
$___
.
My gift is in memory of:
Pleasenotify the farrnly:
My gift ,s ,n honor of:
Pleasenotify the honoree, vJiose address·
is:
I understandRAIN Oklahoma is a non-profit
organizationand my contribution istax deductible.
My canceledcheckwill serveas my receipt. (Please
check here
if you prefer to remain anonymous
and do not want to receive RAIN newslettersand
mailings.)
Name
------------
Address-----------City, State, Zip _________
_
Phone
------------
RegionalAIDS InterfaithNetwork (RAIN) offers a solution for those who struggle
eachyear to think of appropriateand meaningfulgiftsfor friends,colleagues,and loved
ones at this time of year. If you would liketo savetime and energy, provide muchneeded support for RAIN'smissionof educationand service,and let those on your gift
list know how much they mean to you, just make a contribution to RAIN in their names.
They will receive a card recognizingyour gift to RAIN in their honor.
You won't haveto worry about the size,the color, the style;you can even take a
tax deduction! Eachcontribution is acknowledgedby a letter from RAIN, with an update
about those who are beingserved. Eachcontribution, regardlessof amount, is needed
and appreciated. Thank you.
Costs of recruiting,training,and supervisinga RAIN Team are estimatedat $2,500
per year, accordingto TriangleAIDS InterfaithNetwork (TRAIN) in North Carolina.
Wrth 76 teams currently, that would make our cost $190,000 for maintaininghealthy
RAIN Teamsby providingadequatestaffsupport, continuingeducationfor staffand
volunteers,andtrainingfor potentialnew volunteers.
A gift of $25 .00 providesa scholarshipto a RAIN Trainingfor someone who needs
it.
A gift of$70.00 providesfor RAIN's800 number for one month, allowinganyone
needinginformation about RAIN to call at no cost.
A gift of$500.00 providesfor the mailingof the quarterly RAIN nevvsletter,helping
RAIN stayin touch with the 4,600 individualsand organizationson our mailinglist.
RAIN is proud to be ableto saythat we are supported entirely by privatedollars.
We realizethat the serviceRAIN providesis for improved "qualityof life"support for
people livingwith HIV/AIDSand we try not to compete for fundsthat reallyneed to go
for essentials- suchas medications,healthcare, housing. With your help, RAIN can
continue to educateabout HIV/AIDSand servethose livingwith HIV/AIDSuntil there is
no need.
Pleasemakecheckpayableto:
RAIN Oklahoma
(Until 12/3 I /)6):
924 N. Robinson
Oklahoma City OK 73 I 02
(Alter I /I f)6):
1200 N. Walker. 5th Floor
Oklahoma City OK 73 I 03
VISA& MasterCardaccepted!
The RAIN Staff
and Boardof Directors
hopeseveryonehasa
HappyHanukkah,
Merry Christmas,
andEnjoysand Celebrates
Kwanzaa!
MayYour Holidaysbe Filled
withjoy and Love!
Universityof Oklahoma College of Pharmacy
Drug Trials RecruitingParticipants
# I • Individuals who are HIV infected and who have had no previous treatment
or have taken AZT for less than 6 months, have a CD4 cell count of 200500
#2 • Individuals who are HIV infected, past therapy not relevant, CD4 cell count
of 300-549
Both studies seek male and female participants, all races and sexual orientations. Please contact
Dr. Chris Rathbun at 405-271-6878 or Dr. Len Slater at 405-271--050 I ext 3284. Additional
studiesare plannedand interested individualsare encouragedto call.
HIV/AIDSActionInitiative
PatrickBaker,LPN
Coordinator
3033 N Walnut, Suite I 18-BE
OklahomaCity OK 73 I 05
405.524.8800
EmpoweringAfrican AmericansThrough Educationand Prevention
November1996
7 TheRAINbow
Foodfor Thought
Love dissolves inequities the
way the sun melts icebergs in the
sea. Love reaches to help without
thought of how much or why. It
catches hands with the weak and
comforts in total giving.
Love is not a one-way street,
no different from standing in the
sunlight or catching the garden's
fragrance - if you are there, you get
it. You see it in compassionate
expressions, you sense it in the
gentle touch.
In agony it seems not enough
was given, things were left undone.
But in absolute truth, if you loved,
you gave it all. Not of necessity,
not because it was expected, but
because it flooded out - warm and
alive. And it heals.
Joyce SequichieHeffer
Bartlesville, OK
continuedfrom page3
News from Creek County
RAIN Education
Coordinator, Dannette Russell
Geren, didn't allow herselfto
linger in the spotlightafter
receivingthe American Red
Crosstop honor for volunteers;
she can't be complacentwhen
it comesto educatingyouth
about HIV/AIDS. A recent
wellnessassessment
at a Creek
County Middle Schoolshowed
that I 6% of studentsalready
felt pressuredto be sexually
activeand 28% felt that they
don't know how to protect
themselvesfrom HIV/AIDSand
other sexuallytransmitted
diseases.Realizingthat the
healthof today'syoung people
is indeed at risk, Dannette
continuesto work with youth in
schools,sheltersand churches.
Fiveyouth from Sapulpa
and Bristow became HIV/AIDS
Peer Educatorsby devoting
their fall breakto completing
the AmericanRed Cross
training. The teens all believe
that they will know someone in
their lifetimeswho is HIV
positiveand they hope to make
a differencein someone'slife.
A Teen Who Cares
Becominga teenageris a
big deal - askany twelve year
old. As Emily Fleischaker
anticipatedbecominga teen,
she also preparedfor her Bas
Mitzvah,the initiatoryceremony for girls in the Jewish
faith. Emily'sparents,David and
Pam Fleischaker,believe
stronglyin promoting human
welfare through philanthropy
and hoped that alongwith
assumingreligiousresponsibilities,Emilywould sharea
portion of what she receivedin
giftshonoring her.
Emilymade a very
significantcontribution to RAIN
this pastyear. 111wanted to
help a smallorganizationwhere
my gift would really help. AIDS
is a bad diseaseand I'm
worried about its spread. I'd
like to find a cure for AIDS or
cancerwhen I'm older,11 Emily
told PamCross in a recent
phone conversation.RAIN
thanksEmilyand her parents
for their generosity.
~i~
RegionalAIDSInterfaith Network
Ol(LAHOMA
ChristopherRadko
OrnamentsBenefitAlOS
"AWinter Bear'sHeart" is
this year's namefor the unique
hand blown glassholiday
ornament designedby
ChristopherRadko.
The collectibleornament is
in the likenessof a blackand
white pandawith a gold heart
emblazonedwith a red Al OS
awarenessribbon.
The designerstopped in
TulsaOctober 14during his
tour of ten US citiesfor a
signinghosted by Margo'sGift
Shopof Utica Square.Radko
signedornamentsfor a $25.00
donationto either RAIN or
Make-A-WishFoundation.
Our appreciationgoesto
Christopher Radkoand alsoto
Margo'sfor hostingthis event.
Ornamentsare availableat
Margo'sGift Shop,2058 Yorktown Alley, Utica Square,Tulsa
OK 741 14, ph 918-747-8780.
World AIDS Day
Events
OklahomaCity:
CommunityMemorialService
SundayDecember I , 1996
7:00 pm
Epworth United Methodist
190I N Douglas,OKC
Tulsa:
World AIDS Day March
5:00 pm BartlettSquare
5:30 pm March begins
MemorialService
6:00 pm
Trinity EpiscopalChurch
50 I S Cincinnati
aTheRAINbow
November1996
OKC MIN Office
Have a Heart
Auction Slated
Larry Crosby, owner of
Tramps in OKC, will once again
hostthe Have a Heart Auctionto
benefit RAJ
N and Loavesand
Fishes.
The fun & high-spiritedevent
is scheduledfor Sunday,February
9, 1997.
Those unusualholidaygifts
that just don't fit your stylecan be
donatedto this greatcause- just
call Larry at (405) 843-0554.
Pickupis availablein the OKC
area.
to Relocate
The RAIN Oklahoma City Executive
Officej\A/esternRegion office is moving to 1200
North Walker, 5th floor. The Osler Buildinghasa lovelyeleganceand
has witnesseda lot of OKC history. Our phone numberswill remain
(405) 232-4372, (800) 324-7246 and our new fax# will be (405)
232-RAIN (7246).
We appreciatethe generosityof David Porte and Thom Collins,
who are makingthis attractivesuite of officesavailableto RAIN at no
cost. Working near other AIDS service organizationsand health
organizations
will be beneficial
to RAIN clients,volunteersand staff.We
are excitedabout the future.
Excitement about moving into our own offices is mixed with
sadness
about leavingthe EpiscopalChurch Center, RAIN'sfirst home.
RAINhasgrown in so manyways sinceMary CatherineSmothermon
first undertook beginninga program of educationand servicethrough
communitiesof faith.We appreciatethe support of Bishop Robert M.
Moody,his AdministrativeAssistantEmily Alexander Shurley,and all
of the Diocesanstaffwho havebeen so helpful.We hope to maintain
a closerelationshipsincethe new RAIN officeisjust six blocksaway.
Pleasewatch for notice of a RAIN OKC Open House early next
year but stop by and visitwhenever you are in the neighborhood!
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