Get Involved
25 Ways to Make a Difference
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#1.
Get tested
and encourage anyone you know who is sexually active to consider testing.
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#2.
Volunteer
Offer your time and talents to serve those affected with HIV/AIDS.
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#3.
Practice safe(r) sex
Make healthy decisions in regards to your sexual health, and protect yourself against potential infection.
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#4.
Use the Virtual Red Ribbon
on your website or email signature.
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#5.
See the Quilt
The AIDS Memorial Quilt commemorates over 40,000 lives of those with HIV/AIDS.
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#6.
Walk, run, or ride
to raise funds and awareness for Piedmont Care.
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#7.
Organize an event
to raise funds for Piedmont Care.
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#8.
Wear a Red Ribbon
to show your support for people with HIV/AIDS and their caretakers, and for education and research leading to effective treatments, vaccines, or cures.
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#9.
Donate a book or video
about living with HIV/AIDS to your local library.
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#10.
Purchase greeting cards and gifts
from organizations like the United Nations and AmFAR, (The Foundation for AIDS Research) who donate to support the HIV/AIDS community.
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#11.
Be a friend
If you know someone living with HIV/AIDS, make the commitment to celebrate your friendship.
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#12.
Donate
money or individually packaged food and personal care items to Piedmont Care.
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#13.
Remember the holidays
by donating gifts to children affected by HIV/AIDS.
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#14.
Lobby your senators or representatives
for increased funding for HIV/AIDS programs.
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#15.
Attend
a World AIDS Day event.
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#16.
Organize a food drive
to support Piedmont Care's emergency pantry.
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#17.
Discuss
HIV/AIDS in your community. Encourage people to share their experiences and fears. Share information on safe(r) sex and personal protection practices.
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#18.
Contribute
to the Safe Haven Project, which creates and funds camps for children living with HIV/AIDS.
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#19.
Give
If you work for a large company, ask about matching-giving efforts.
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#20.
Participate
in fundraisers for HIV/AIDS education and treatment.
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#21.
Learn more about HIV/AIDS
Free HIV trainings are available.
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#22.
De-stigmatize HIV/AIDS
Be open with friends and colleagues if you are positive, or if you know someone who is living with HIV.
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#23.
Invite
Piedmont Care to speak to your organization, club, church, etc. about HIV/AIDS.
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#24.
Lend a hand
If you know someone living with HIV/AIDS, offer to rake leaves, mow the lawn, paint a room, or walk a dog.
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#25.
Start a blog
Write about your efforts and activities and invite others to share their stories.
Modified from The New York Times, December 1, 2006