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On March 16, the East Texas Cares
Resource Center sponsored the eighth annual silent auction called “Matisse
March Madness” to raise money for the Center, which assists HIV/AIDS patients.
Executive director of the Center, Jeanette Deas Calhoun, stated, “We have the
makings of a really, really exciting and fun art auction. This fundraiser is
extremely important to our agency because it allows us to continue and support
the programs that we have for our clients. Moneys generated will go directly
into program services.” Local artists donated approximately 170 art pieces to
the silent auction expected to generate funds in the $12,000 to $16,000 range
for the Center.
Approximately 150 people attended
the auction held at The Market at the Crossing in Tyler, Texas. The auction
included photographs; print art; acrylics; oil paintings; watercolor paintings;
panels done with heavily textured fibers; vintage jewelry; hand-thrown, high
fired pottery; and a blue dog lithograph. Bids ranged from $20 for a small
object to an opening bid of $1,000 for a framed watercolor.
East Texas Cares Resource Center has
experienced several names since its inception in 1989. It began as a hospice
for HIV-positive persons called “His House, serving in that capacity for 12
years. In 2001, it became Tyler AIDS Services, which provided services to
people living with HIV/AIDS as well as prevention education services to East
Texas residents. The organization changed its name to the East Texas Cares
Resource Center in October 2012 to better reflect its activities. Currently,
its emergency assistance program provides case management and support for
housing, utilities, and pharmacy needs for HIV clients. East Texas Cares
Resource Center also administers the Reclaim project, which helps people find
jobs, return to college, or obtain a GED. The goal is to get people back in the
workforce.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
