Photo: flickr user welshkaren

There is nothing that I relish more than coming home on a cold night and cozying up under my blankets. I probably take it for granted that I’m privileged enough to not have to think about what it would be like if I didn’t have those kinds of basic necessities.

As the weather turns colder, for those in need of blankets it becomes a significant challenge to be without. Especially for those that are living outdoors.

AIDS Vancouver hops aboard Candy Dart Shuttle for a memorable Pride march!

The Vancouver Pride Parade is always a very special event for AIDS Vancouver. It's our chance to hit the street with over half-a-million of our friends, and as we've come to expect in recent years, we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful summer day.

The Board, staff and volunteers of AIDS Vancouver would like to send our deepest condolences to all those affected by the tragic loss of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 late last week. Though our fight against HIV/AIDS was certainly dealt a blow with the loss of so many dedicated activists, researchers and leaders, we hold solace in knowing that the global effort to find a cure will only strengthen in the face of such senseless loss of life.

Photo: flickr user N i c o l a

During preparation for our 2013 Holiday Grocery, a supporter of the program helped connect us to Tree of Life. As one of the largest distributors of specialty and natural foods in Canada, they generously contributed five pallets of organic cereal to our Holiday Grocery event. It really made a huge difference.

Please join us for the AIDS Candlelight Vigil! The event will take place on Sunday June 8th at 8pm at Alexandra Park (across from English Bay). Special performance by the Richmond Youth Honour Choir (Facebook: http://t.co/ljbkpHSTfY).

We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Vancouver Fruit Tree project for this year’s picking season. We look forward to providing our Grocery patrons with the fruit that will be graciously given to the program.

Joe Smith first walked through AIDS Vancouver’s doors in early 2011. It was a very dark time in his life. Joe had just been diagnosed with HIV, although his doctor speculated he’d been infected for approximately two years, the result of being pricked by a contaminated needle while searching a dumpster for returnable bottles. Ironic, in light of Joe’s struggles with heroin earlier in his life.

This past December, Lance Surina of the Vancouver Running and Jogging club contacted me because he saw our article in one of the local papers, asking for help with donations for our 2013 Holiday Grocery.

All of us at AIDS Vancouver want to send our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped and supported us during our 2013 Holiday Grocery. With your contribution, and the help of 70 volunteers, we raised over $23,000 and provided nutritional food and good cheer to 754 clients this season. We would also like to send a big thank you to Vancouver Courier and Vancouver Metro for your heartwarming stories this season. Your involvement has been instrumental to our success. Thanks, to each and every one of you, for your continued support!