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Events

World AIDS Day 2010

On December 4, YAP hosted our 15th Annual World AIDS Day Benefit at the Wingate by Windham, now called the Bighorn Resort. The event had a great turn out and was a success in raising much needed funds for the year ahead. Raising more than last year, the Yellowstone AIDS Project is very thankful for the charitable and community-minded people of Montana. Their generousity enables us to continue our efforts toward empowering those living with HIV/AIDS while preventing future infections.

It's important to recognize and thank all of those who made this event so successful: the staff of YAP who worked tirelessly to organize the event; all of our event sponsors; The Wingate for providing such a fine venue as well as donating Mr. Louganis' room; Marci & Dan Tatarka of Beyond Basil & Greg Walker with Surfer Joe's for donating their time to provide superb food & wine; Ron Daem for his georgeous stained glass piece, Starry Shepherd; Jen Bratz for her wonderful paino playing; Duane Hill for donating his auction serives at the last minute (the day of when we found out that our autioneer was snowed in,) those who contributed to the silent auction; and all others who support YAP's work.

The highlight of the evening was listening to our guest speaker, Greg Louganis, explain his trials and tribulations living with HIV/AIDS. From his Olympic career to the diving coaching he does today, Mr. Louganis provided us with a candid and insightful speech on the history of HIV/AIDS, the medicines that he has endured, the lack of acceptance he faced at the time he was diagnosed, and how far we have come in the past twenty years. Mr. Louganis represents the truth about HIV/AIDS-it is not a death sentence and it does not define your life if you are infected. Greg also advocated for prevention and education because while HIV/AIDS is not as deadly as it once was - in light of better medicines- it is a diffiult virus and contracting it is preventable as long as we protect ourselves. Mr. Louganis spoke as though he was chatting with friends, a style that truly lent itself to the topic as well as the audience.

Again a huge "Thank You" to everyone who made this evening so rewarding. "Until There's A Cure", we will continue to fight every aspect of AIDS and hope that someday we can say: "do you remember when . . .".

View images from the latest World AIDS Day Event, Billings Montana.

click here to see photos from the event!

World AIDS Day Award Recipient

Julie Oksendahl ~ Julie has been a strong resource to the HIV/AIDS effort for more than 10 years. As a nurse, she has frequently gone beyond her job requirements to support patients. She has helped provide needed household items and conducts home visits along with her co-worker, Debbie Brown. Julie has also been a long time resource for the Yellowstone AIDS Project and is instrumental in our ability to provide the best services possible. Further, she has been activiely involved with other groups, such as AIDSpirit USA and Always Our Children. Julie credits her accomplishments to both teamwork and her mentor, Kathy Hall. " We work as one; Debbie, me, Dr. Malloy, the Yellowstone AIDS Project, and AIDSpirit," stated Julie. "Without each and every one we could not accomplish the services that we provide." Thank you Julie for all your contributions to the team.

 

Mark Ackerman Volunteer Award Recipient

Kellen Desper ~ or Kel as he is known, is a valued volunteer and advocate for the Yellowstone AIDS Project (YAP.) He has been HIV-Positive for 23 years with long-term non-progression. Kel was the 1st MTAP Outreach worker and was instrumental in raising awareness in our community. He has also conducted many presentations for the Yellowstone AIDS Project, RiverStone Health, Planned Parenthood and has worked with AIDSpirit USA, along with other groups for a number of years. His efforts to support the community have also included working at various events in the community. Kel was also the first to put together and distribute food bowes for clients. Kel is a very worthy recipient of this prestigious award and we thank you Kel for your support.

 

World AIDS Day Artist

Ron Daem ~ is a native to Montana and graduated from West High School. He became interested in stained glass after taking a class at Carrol College in Helena. He then helped to restore the South wall of glass at the Cathedral of St. Helena. Ron finds his craft challenging because he is partially color blind. Ron's son, Timothy, died of cancer at age 20. He inspired the Guardian Angel window created for World AIDS Day. Ron stated, "Timothy taught me that even when we feel surrounded, crowded, alone or abandoned there is still someone out there who loves and watches over our journey."

Thank you Ron for creating this art piece and sharing your gift.

 

2010 Sponsors

 

Diamond Sponsors

Grace Frankforter

Sapphire Sponsors

Billings Clinic
MT. Department of Public Health & Human Services
Planned Parenthood of Montana
RiverStone Health
Ron Smith
St. Vincent Healthcare

Ruby Sponsors

Cremation and Funeral Gallery
Navigator Direct

Emerald Sponsors

Downtown Exchange Club
Gardner Distributing Company
St. Pius X Congregation
Wal-Mart Laurel

Pearl Sponsors

Advanced Laser Center
Dave Best
Doggy Doos Pet Grooming
King's Hat Inc.
Montana Cycling & Ski
Montana Gay Men's Task Force-FDH & Associates
Montana Mobile Document Shredding
Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories
Sanctuary Spa
D. Gregory Smith & Ken Spencer

In Kind Donors

Beyond Basil Catering
Party Solutions
Greg Walker & Surfer Joe's
Rimrock Art & Frame
Western Awards and Engraving
The Wingate Hotel and Convention Center

Silent Auction Donors

Angry Hanks
APEX Co. & Trout Peak Enterprises
Rebecca Armstrong
Artful Healing Massage
Ashley Furniture
Auto Auction of Montana
Richard Baugh
B-Fit for Life
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Billings Athletic Club
Bonanza Health Foods, Inc
Boston Harbor Tea
Shannon Bratsky-Celebrating Home
Budget Framer
Cafe' Italia/McCormick Cafe/Q-Cuisine/Log Cabin Bakery
Carter's
Don Chrisman
Classi Pet Center
Cricket Clothing
Steve Degenhart
Dos Machos
Elliot Eaton
Fuddruckers- King Avenue Location
Gainan's Flowers
Good Earth Market
Granite Fitness
Harry Koyama Fine Art
Help You Heal
Hippy Cowgirl
Huhot Mongolian Grill
Inches-A-Weigh
Fredrick Jackson
Jean Jacques-Seniors in Transition
Jazzercise
Johnny Carino's
Sally Lynam-Sally's School of Music
Montague's Jewlers
MSU Athletic Department
Montana Vintage Clothing
Julia Murphy
Mustang Baseball
New Attitude
Old Chicago Restaurant
Outback Steakhouse
David Overturf Photography
Oxford Hotel Antiques
Oz Fitness
Perkins
Red Robin
Rib & Chop House
Lynette Reiker
Rimrock Opera Company
Sage Spa
Sam's Club
Santa Fe Red's
Scheel's Sports
Cliff & Debbie Schenk-Schenk Construction Inc.
Simply Wine
Target
The Rex
The Soup Place
Robert Tompkin's Fine Arts
Marlene Urton Fine Arts
Venture Theatre
Wildhare Photography
Zoo Montana

Individual Donors

Claire J. Coleman
Terry Fettig
Carol Highland-Fritz
Amy Leader
Montana Leather
Eileen McDonald
Jeremy Montera
PFLAG (Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians & Gays
Jim & Patti Paquette
Jasper Schroder
Dick & Kay Wells
Grace Zacaroli