The AIDS Network provides opportunities for community members in several areas. Our comprehensive volunteer orientation and training program offers prospective volunteers insight into how they may further their interests and skills to match specific Network needs.

Volunteer Application and Brochure (click here)

June 14, 2008

Dear Friends and Family of Felicia Melton-Smyth,

Like so many of those who knew and admired Felicia Melton-Smyth, the AIDS Network family is grieving over her tragic death. Many of the staff and volunteers were close personal friends of Felicia or worked with her in various capacities.

Felicia participated in the ACT bike ride both as a rider and a crew member. She was perennially one of the most avid supporters of Walk, Roll & Stroll AIDS Walk. At our annual volunteer awards ceremony, she was recognized year after year, literally garnering every award we gave. However, she will probably best be remembered for the Giving Tree, now known as the Holiday Gift Drive.

Several years ago, AIDS Network participated in a holiday fundraiser with other community nonprofits at Hilldale Shopping Center. Each participating social service provider had a Christmas tree where shoppers could leave donations and gifts for the agency’s clients. At the Shopping Center, Felicia noticed that the AIDS Network tree was bare and she became heartbroken. Being the determined and motivated person that she was, Felicia turned this around and immediately decided she would do something to assure that children and families affected by HIV/AIDS would not be forgotten.

This was the beginning of the Holiday Gift Drive Tree which has become an annual and enormously successful toy drive for our clients and their families. For the past seven years, over 150 of our families have benefited from Felicia’s inspiration, dedication and commitment

Although she is no longer here with us, we are grateful that Felicia has remembered our community, including a request that donations be made to AIDS Network in her memory and specifically to support the Holiday Gift Drive. We are committed to continuing the Holiday Gift Drive.

Felicia truly was a unique individual who made a difference. She is missed by all of us at AIDS Network. We offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends on behalf of AIDS Network, the Board of Directors, staff and the communities we serve.

Sincerely,


Karen Dotson, MHSA
Executive Director

 

CLIENT SUPPORT:

Network volunteers assist clients in a wide variety of activities. Every client is different, so every request is different. Some are one time, others are on going. Examples are:

  • Help fatigued persons with light housework and running errands
  • Pet care
  • Pick up & deliver food bank groceries with another volunteer
  • Help someone learn how to access the internet
  • Take someone to the polls to vote

OUTREACH AND EVENTS:

  • Staff info tables at street fairs/health fairs
  • Create and distribute flyers
  • Prevention work groups (safe sex packets, etc.)
  • Help with transportation to events
  • ACT III -AIDS Network Cycles Together
  • World AIDS Day
  • Walk, Roll & Stroll 
  • Positively Fun (Social Events)

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT:

  • Review videotapes for Resource Center
  • Update and recruit Massage Therapist list
  • Organize our Resource Library (fact sheets, net resources, etc.)
  • Treatment Adherence Peer Support
  • Create volunteer time tracking database, input volunteer time.
  • Office duties; Answer phones.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AREA:

  • Massage Therapy
  • Database Creation & Maintenance