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The Ferndale, Mich., nonprofit Wings
Michigan was formed to help individuals cope after they were diagnosed with HIV
infection. With the help of donations, volunteers at Wings Michigan have
provided a cottage retreat on the banks of Lake Huron for person with HIV/AIDS
on property donated to the organization by an individual who had died from
AIDS. Anthony Williams, a volunteer with the organization, commented that
people with HIV/AIDS had few places they could go without fear of stigma; this
retreat provided them respite.
Wings Michigan owns seven cabins
overlooking the lake; the organization rents the cabins for $5.00 per night to
persons with HIV or a caregiver. Behind the cabins is a memorial garden for
organization members who have died from an STD. Williams explained that they
add a stone with the individual’s name to the garden wall for each person who
has died from AIDS. He noted that they lost two people last year and they have
added names to the wall every year. He acknowledged that people are living
longer, but they are still dying from complications associated with AIDS.
Volunteers are working to build a
wheelchair-accessible cabin, and employees of Luxury Bath in Port Huron have
donated time to build the cabin unit and help install the bathroom amenities.
The organization is accepting donations of furnishings, such as couches,
chairs, bedding, futons, and bath items. Donors will receive a free stay at a
cabin or have their name on a plaque on the cabin, depending on the amount of
the donation. Last weekend, members of two churches volunteered to paint and
clean the cabins for the Memorial Day season opening. The organization also
needs the assistance of volunteers on Saturday, May 18.
For more information, call (810)
359–2800, or e-mail officemanager@wingsoverthelake.com.
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!
