Different Roads Homes’ 5th Annual Evening of Hope and Inspiration is set for Nov. 15, 7 p.m., at McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. qnotes is a media sponsor.
Proceeds from the event benefit the organization’s Jeanne White Ginder Food Patry, named for the mother of Ryan White, who died from HIV/AIDS and served as an inspiration to many.
Every dollar raised at the event goes towards the cause. Different Roads Home, as an organization, chose to not keep or “earmark” any proceeds for operating or overhead from this annual program. Contributions and ticket sales go straight to those the organization serves.
Dale Pierce, Different Roads Home’s founder and CEO, shared, “The sole purpose of this annual fundraiser is to buy emergency food cards to help clients supplement their holiday meal needs and the remainder of the funds go to buy gift cards that can be utilized in times of crisis throughout the year. One thing that we have also added to, as of last year, is helping to buy multi-vitamins for those we serve that have compromised immune systems.”
Obstacles, struggles and issues are ever-present in serving HIV/AIDS patients. As in any population that is under-served by the greater community, food is especially a very important one for those clients.
“Without proper nutrition, their medication may not adhere or work most effectively. We try to educate and empower them around shopping and nutrition services as well. Transportation is always an issue for these folks as well. Hopefully, in other efforts going forward, we can begin to address some of the other gaps that are prevalent in services — whether it be transportation, housing or anything that gets the client on the right track to a healthy life,” Pierce added.
DRH works with other agencies in the area to obtain comprehensive care for its clients. Rosedale Infectious Diseases, 103 Commerce Centre Dr., in Huntersville, N.C., is one such resource that provides medical care and ancillary services. Pierce stated, “I think that Rosedale is a great model for what needs to happen. Our partnership with them offers the client a complete range of services that will enhance their life and make their adherence a lot easier. I think that the more comprehensive an agency can be, the better it is for the client. HIV clients suffer from so much more than the disease itself — stigma, rejection, poverty, isolation and the list goes on. To truly impact their lives, we need to look at the whole person.”
DRH has plans to reach out to the corporate and individual contributors in 2015. They are also seeking grants from foundations, etc., to help them achieve their financial goals.
Linda Gray, star of TV’s “Dallas” and recipient of this year’s Hope and Inspiration Humanitarian Award, will be available for a Q&A after she receives her award. Also in attendance will be White-Ginder. She will share her thoughts about her son and his legacy whose 25th anniversary since his death will be marked in April 2015. She will also help to pass out awards and present the Ryan White Memorial Scholarship to its winner and the two runners-up. Pierce said that there was an overwhelming response for this from hopefuls who wish to use the funds to assist college students with their educational expenses. The winner receives $1,500 and the two runners-up will get $250 each.
The Talley Trio will be on hand to share their southern gospel music, as well as the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Choir.
Tickets for the event are $15-$35 and are available online.
A VIP Experience Package at $125 includes a reserved seat, private reception in the Duke Energy Theater, 345 N College St., at 5:30 p.m. with one complimentary drink ticket, cash bar, appetizers and desert and fruit, swag bag from our sponsors and Different Roads Home, as well as the opportunity to have a picture taken and autograph with Gray. : :
info: differentroadshome.org.