Springfield, IL (December 3, 2022) World AIDS Day, designated on December 1st of every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV and mourning those who have died as a result.
Fifth Street/SARA Center commemorated the day on Saturday, December 3rd, and requested that Phoenix Center and CORAL join them for the event held at the AIDS Memorial at Lincoln Park. Their theme this year was ‘Still Fighting’ and each organization gave a presentation on how they represent this fight to the LGBTQ community.
The event began with Jon Borman, of Heartland Metropolitan Community Church providing an opening prayer before Rex Schadow, April Poole, Brian Sylvester, and Brad Green gave a first-hand experience of how HIV/AIDS has impacted their lives or the friends they lost because of it. Jonna Cooley, Executive Director of Phoenix Center; Debbie Williams, Board member of the Fifth Street/SARA Center; and Jim Barr, President of CORAL; each provided information on how their respective groups fit in the puzzle of fighting HIV/AIDS in today’s environment. Bobbi Dykema, Pastor of First Church of the Brethren, closed the service with a prayer of remembrance and hope.
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