PEORIA, IL — The River City Bears, a local community based 501(c)3 non-profit organization, will be hosting a candlelight Celebration of Life entitled “Ending HIV Together” in Peoria, IL to benefit Central Illinois FRIENDS.
It will take place on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Riverfront Liberty Park Gazebo located at the foot of Liberty Street.
With 33 million people living with HIV today and over 45,000 living in the state of IL, this local recognition of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial will serve as a commemoration to loved ones who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS; show solidarity with people living with HIV/AIDS; break down barriers of stigma and discrimination, and bring hope to new generations.
The national theme for this year’s event is “Ending HIV Together”. Invited speakers to the event include: Deric Kimler, Executive Director of CI FRIENDS; Mike Minton, CI FRIENDS Board President; Kathleen Griffith, Positive Women’s Network & CI FRIENDS Board Member; Carol Hoke, CI FRIENDS Board member; Elizabeth Keets, HIV Advocate/Mother; Michael Edwards, Mr. Central Illinois Bear; and Chris Wade, CI FRIENDS Prevention Director.
This is a fundraising event and donations are being accepted online at the River City Bears webpage: www.rivercitybears.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=2.
A collection for monetary donations will be taken at the event.
Central Illinois FRIENDS links people living with and affected by HIV to essential resources to support long-term wellness, and serves as a community resource for sexual health awareness, counseling, testing and referral.
River City Bears: www.rivercitybears.org/.
Central Illinois FRIENDS: www.friendsofcentralillinois.org/.