ALBANY - May 31, 2007 - Steve Ammerman, WTEN anchor, and AIDS Council Board member will be dancing for the AIDS Council, June 3rd, at the Albany Marriott. Dancing with the Albany Stars is a fundraiser for the youth program Dance Crazy Inc., which teaches inner city 5th graders ballroom dancing and proper etiquette. The winner of the competition also gets to donate half of the money raised to his or her favorite charity, and Steve has chosen the AIDS Council. Come on out and cheer him on while he dances the Tango and Rhumba in this competition.

The competition is from 1pm to 3pm at the Mariott on Wolf Rd. in Colonie. Tickets are $10 at the door, and $5 a vote. The male and female winners from the afternoon competition have a dance off at a gala that night, also at the Marriott from 8:30 - 10pm. Included in the competition are: Nina Bouphasavanh, Jeff Stocker and Anya Tucker, also of WTEN; Kimberlee Brandt from It’s Just Lunch; Chrissy Cavotta and Jim Clark from FLY 92, and Paul Harding from Martin, Harding & Mazzotti, LLP. (If you wish to attend the gala and evening Dance-off, you must make reservations ahead of time as it includes a meal. For more information, log onto http://www.arthurmurraylatham.com.)

Good Luck Steve! We’re rooting for you!

ALBANY - May 31, 2007 - Executive Director Michele McClave and Director of Development and Marketing, Louise Bradford were featured on the Season Finale of Extreme Makeover Home Edition. The popular ABC show builds homes for families that are struggling, and featured the Oatman - Gaitan Family. With two of the boys HIV positive and a sinking foundation, this single mother was in great need. Their new home, built by thousands of volunteers from area businesses, will give them a fresh new start. The show also featured Camp Heartland, a camp in the Catskills for children and families that deal with HIV/AIDS. The show brought to light the many difficult issues of discrimination people with HIV/AIDS continue to face. The AIDS Council is grateful to the show for its efforts in this regard. A huge increase in hits on our website following the show tells us that the exposure was helpful indeed. Kudos to ABC and all Capital Region businesses and volunteers who made this all possible. We wish the Oatman - Gaitan family health and happiness in their new home.

ALBANY - May 16, 2007 - HIV/AIDS is not a subject most people like to talk about. Now that more people are living with AIDS rather than dying from it, many think it’s no longer a concern. So when Extreme Makeover Home Edition came to town to build a house for the Oatman – Gaitan family, who are dealing with HIV, the AIDS Council was more than happy for the opportunity to speak about these issues. Michele McClave, Executive Director of the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York, contacted the producer of EMHE to encourage her to use the episode to raise awareness, and offered to be a resource for accurate information about the disease. The welcome result was an interview with Eduardo Xol, one of the show’s designers, which is hoped to be included in the two hour season finale to be shown on WTEN (CBS) at 7pm on May 20th. In the interview McClave and Xol agreed that social consciousness regarding HIV/AIDS continues to lag far behind that which could eradicate this disease and spoke about the need that still exists. The producer also invited the AIDS Council to set up an information booth with literature about HIV/AIDS at the build site for the benefit of the huge crowd of spectators. A link from the show’s webpage “A Better Community” (www.abc.go.com/abettercommunity/outreach.html) will encourage people to visit the AIDS Council website, and contribute. “There is still a lot of stigma attached to this disease, but it needs to stay on the radar screen.” states Ms. McClave, Executive Director of the AIDS Council. “With 50% of all newly infected people being under 25 years of age, it’s imperative that we increase awareness. With community support, we can help those afflicted with this disease to lead independent, productive lives. Through education, we can look to a future where new cases decrease, and ultimately cease. We are very grateful to Extreme Makeover Home Edition for shining a heartfelt light on this important issue, and sharing it with the world. More understanding and compassion will encourage more funding, and through more funding, we can provide additional services.”

The AIDS Council puts a lot of effort into educating young people and those considered to be most at risk for spreading the disease. Youth programs include such things as developing an informative but fun interactive website to spread AIDS awareness, and a peer counseling program. They also have a program for transitional services in which they work with those preparing for release from prison to make safe, healthy decisions. For those who have already contracted the disease, they offer everything from case management, to emergency housing assistance and rides to the doctor, with the primary objective to provide them with the tools to be self sufficient. Arthur, a client of the AIDS Council expressed his gratitude to the AIDS Council recently, saying “The emotional, spiritual and life management help you give to me are the most important. Just to get me connected with the medical team after all of my disastrous experiences is the greatest of services. Your gentle support is a blessing.”

ALBANY - May 16, 2007
Capital District Celebrates Dining Out For Life

The streets were busier than usual for a Thursday night as 34 area restaurants participated in Dining Out For Life on April 26th. Dining Out For Life, an international event, partners restaurants with AIDS organizations in an effort to raise substantial funds for much needed programs and services. Local restaurants donate 25% of their food and soft drink sales, and in some cases cocktail sales, to the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York. So far, proceeds are estimated at over $26,000 with the tally continuing to grow.

Locally, 34 restaurants throughout the Capital Region participated, with funds going to the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York. Friends gathered, volunteers hosted, and restaurants opened their hearts to support the programs and preventive services of the AIDS Council. A team of over 60 volunteers served as ambassadors at each restaurant, and were pleased with the eagerness of supporters. Restaurant owners not only enjoyed greater attendance, but felt they were supporting a worthy cause that does not often get the media’s or community’s attention. Marcia Tolive from El Loco Mexican Café in Albany said this year’s event was even more festive than past years. “Students from Bethlehem High School’s Spanish Class happened to be here for a field trip, and were excited to find out that 25% of the cost of their meals would be donated to the AIDS Council. They also enjoyed being a part of FLY 92’s live broadcast.” stated Tolive, “This year was much busier for us, with more guests coming specifically to support the event. Interest seems to grow each year.” Michael Bowman of Beverly’s Restaurant in Saratoga said “We love the way the community comes together for this event. It’s great to be able to help.” American Idol fans swarmed the Bayou Café in Albany when Idol finalist from the 2006 season Elliott Yamin stopped in to sign autographs that evening. Screaming teenage girls came from everywhere to see Elliott, and he responded by singing a couple of numbers for the crowd. FLY 92.3, the radio sponsor for this year’s Dining Out For Life invited Elliott to join them for the live broadcast from the Bayou during the dinner shift.

The AIDS Council is very grateful to the sponsors, restaurants and volunteers that make this event possible, and to the community at large for supporting it. “Most people don’t give a lot of thought to HIV/AIDS issues. It’s important that we increase public awareness.” stated Michele McClave, executive director of the AIDS Council. “They don’t realize the seriousness of its effects on the community. With 50% of all newly infected persons are under 25 years of age, it’s important that we increase public awareness. Our prevention programs work hard to educate young people about how they can protect themselves against this disease.”

The AIDS Council is grateful to participating restaurants, and sponsors of the event, including Key Bank, WTEN, Metroland, FLY 92.3, The Press-Republican, Sam’s Club, the Times Union, FM95.5, Mirror Lake Inn and Yankee Trails World Travel.