Community Health and Counseling Services to hold HIV and AIDS awareness gala

By Doug Dickinson
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — There will be an HIV and Aids awareness gala taking place May 21 at Northeastland Hotel in Presque Isle. The event will include a live auction and dancing. Proceeds will benefit Aroostook County individuals who are HIV positive. The gala is being put on by Community Health and Counseling Services.
    Margaret Casey works at Community Health and Counseling and provides case management services for HIV and aids patients in the county.
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Doug Dickinson
AUCTION GOODS — Tammy Mulvey, regional management assistant at Community Health and Counseling, displays some of the items that have been donated for the Red Ribbon Gala auction.
    “We are hoping to raise awareness that there are people in Aroostook County living with HIV and aids and also raise funds to fill in some of the budget cuts that we’ve experienced this year,” said Casey.
    Casey said that through the proceeds of the gala they are hoping to provide food and gas cards to those in the county who are HIV positive.
    The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and refreshments. At 6:35 p.m. there will be a welcome and presentation, followed with dinner at 6:45 p.m. The live auction kicks off at 7:45 p.m. From 9 – 11 p.m. attendees will be able to dance to a DJ.
    Catering services will be provided by Northeastland Hotel, and DJJonnyB of Houlton will contribute music for the dance.
    Items in the auction have all been donated and include a rug, quilt, pine storage box, a weekend getaway to a cabin, gift certificates from Houlton businesses and a special piece of jewelry designed by Goodrich Jewelers.
    Anyone who would like to purchase tickets or attend the gala can call Community Health and Counseling’s offices in Houlton (532-5510), Caribou (496-3166) and Fort Kent (834-4410).