Despite recession, American communities support AIDS-affected countries through World Vision

SEATTLE, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While many Americans are experiencing hardship, some communities and churches are remembering their relative abundance and reaching out to those affected by AIDS in the developing world, particularly today, on World AIDS Day, and throughout December 2009.

World Vision, the international aid agency, enables this effort through its Caregiver Kit program, which allows Americans to give tangible support to people affected by AIDS.

In recognition of World AIDS Day 2009, volunteers around the nation are gathering throughout the month of December to build thousands of kits containing the most basic goods including washcloths, soap, a flashlight and cotton balls.

World Vision ships these kits to AIDS-stricken regions around the world, including in sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly 12 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS.

"Corporations, communities and churches have been sending World Vision Caregiver kits abroad for more than three years, and we've recently passed the 200,000th kit milestone. While times are, without a doubt, tough in America, we know that times are chronically tough in Zambia and other places like it. So, we continue to count our blessings and continue to support those with the most need in our world," said Mr. Dana Buck, World Vision's Program Director of Kit Initiatives.

Caregiver Kits provide life-sustaining supplies to volunteer Caregivers assisting those suffering from HIV and AIDS around the globe. Since the program's start in 2006, about 965 groups around the United States have assembled over 208,000 kits.

In addition, companies such as McKesson, Microsoft, American Express and Goldman Sachs have participated in Caregiver Kit build events. Each has seen a positive impact on their employees.

"Trying to pack these kits together is a great bonding experience and will be remembered clearly on many occasions. Most importantly, we are doing some tremendous good for the impoverished people in the world who really need this help," said Akhtar Badshah, Microsoft Sr. Director of Global Community Affairs.

Community groups, companies, and churches can get involved by planning a Caregiver Kit build by visiting http://www.worldvision.org/wvcarekits or by calling Debbie Durham at 1.800.478.5481.

Individuals can also get involved by giving individual Caregiver Kits this Christmas season at: http://www.worldvisiongifts.org and click on the "HIV/AIDS" category at left; or become a Facebook fan by visiting: http://www.facebook.com/carekits.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.

Caregiver Kit builds in December 2009
Dec. 1, Good Samaritan Episcopal Church - San Diego, CA - 100 Kits
Dec. 2, Park Cities Baptist Church - Dallas, TX - 25 Kits
Dec. 2, Mansfield High School - Mansfield, PA - 20 Kits
Dec. 6, The Journey Church - San Jose, CA - 1,000 Kits
Dec. 9, Evangel Temple - Kansas City, MO - 70 Kits
Dec. 9, New Covenant Community Church - Delta, PA - 125 Kits
Dec. 10, Microsoft - Charlotte, NC - 60 Kits
Dec. 11, Taproot Church - Des Moines, WA - 40 Kits
Dec. 12, Christian Word of Faith - Humble, TX - 100 Kits
Dec. 12, Saint Matthews Lutheran Church - Beaverton, OR - 20 Kits
Dec. 12, Bethel Memorial Church - Princeton, IN - 110 Kits
Dec. 13, Trinity Lutheran Church - Morris Plains, NJ - 40 Kits
Dec. 13, First United Methodist Church - Pasadena, CA - 90 Kits
Dec. 20, Knox Presbyterian Church - Overland Park, KS - 150 Kits
Dec. 20, Bethany Christian Reformed Church - Bellflower, CA - 50 Kits
Dec. 20, Asian American Baptist Church - Richardson, TX - 200 Kits

SOURCE World Vision

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.worldvision.org/