What a great month we've had from the 5K Beach Run and AIDS Walk to World AIDS Day

This year the 5K Beach Run and AIDS Walk raised nearly $14,000, thanks to you! We had Jack Mackenroth, a designer from New York come serve as our Grand Marshall. We had special performances from Jenni O’Neil and Myles Vlachos, Krishell Prior and the North Myrtle Beach High School’s Rock Band! The weather was a little cool early on but warmed up nicely by the time the race started. All were amazing and it was great to have them with us. We want to thank all of our sponsors; Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, Responsive Solutions, Waccamaw Cardiology, Lowcountry Infectious Diseases, First Federal, New York Life and Starbucks. Thank you to our many volunteers, staff and Board members who came to organize and make sure the day was perfect. Last but certainly not least, thank you to all of you who participated and raised money. We appreciate you all so very much.

Thank you again to Darrell Senter and all of the volunteers who helped make sure that the AIDS Quilt was again in Myrtle Beach for World AIDS Day. This display is the only one is South Carolina this year. It was a moving experience and one we all will remember for a long time.

On Dec 2nd a group from Atlanta, Cre8tive Nsights came and performed Positively Infected , an educational play about HIV; dispelling myths, informing us of the facts and giving us just a peek at what it is like living with this disease. They were phenomenal. I must say it was the single best educational event I have attended. We look forward to having them back.

The Candle Light Vigils at three local bars Friday night were amazing. Lead by Tim McGhee and the Red Ribbon Friends, each bar lowered their lights, turned off their music and every single participant remained quiet for one full minute, remembering those we have lost to HIV and those still living with this disease. I am pretty sure I have never been in any bar after midnight that could be quiet for any length of time. That special time Friday night just shows how significantly HIV has affected all of us in some way.

We ended the weekend celebration with the Vogue Ball at Traxx. Ok, so if you’ve never seen a Vogue competition you should definitely look for the next one. It is really entertaining. We will keep you posted. During the event Careteam was able to provide HIV testing to 32 individuals who are at high risk for HIV infection.

Thank you to everyone! You all help us educate our community, support those who are living with HIV and provide the services Careteam provides. We could not do the work we do without you!

As the year comes to an end, may you all remain safe and healthy and, have the most joyful holidays however and wherever you celebrate.

Dining With Friends 2011 a Great Success!

Dining With Friends 2011

Mark your calendars now for April 30th, 2011 for the
After Party Celebration at the Myrtle Beach Old Train Depot, at 9:00 pm

Please read on...

Fundraising is not a popular task these days. Everyone in some way has felt the impact of our struggling economy. Careteam is no different. We still depend on support from our community to provide the services our clients need. The good news is Careteam has the perfect fundraising event no matter what the economy. You won’t have to buy a new dress, rent a tux or purchase an expensive dinner ticket. If you host a party, you choose whether you serve burgers in the back yard or cater something fancy. If you come as a guest all we ask is that you make a contribution that is significant for you. This fundraiser fits everyone’s budget! Because of the economy, we expect that many of our individual contributions will be less than in previous years. The remedy for that is to “involve more people”! This year, Careteam needs you more than ever. Whether you’ve hosted a dinner in the past or this will be your first we need you to seriously consider hosting a party this year.

You’re still not sure? You’ve got questions? Call me and let’s talk. It’s easy and it’s fun. Please don’t wait for someone else to do it. This year, we need you to be that someone else. You may reach me at 843-997-3271.

Thank you for your continued support,

Johanna Haynes

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day, December 1st is a very special day for many family and friends who have lost loved ones to HIV Disease. It is a time that we all stop and remember those lost, pray for those living and continue the fight for a cure to this dreadful disease. Come join us. Bring your family and friends.

HIV since the begining has held a terrible stigma for those infected. Our leaders, media and many friends have through the years spoken of those infected as if they deserved HIV becasue of some aweful behavior. Today we know this isn't true. HIV does not discriminate. It affects all of us, from all walks of life, religion, economic status, race, nationality and sexual orientation. It affects children, parents, brother and sisters, ministers, politicians, doctors and school teachers, athletes and couch potatoes, husbands, wives, lovers, virgins and prostitues, drug additicts and teatotallers. It does not care who is infected, how or when. It is a blood born pathogen and if the right amount of infected blood enters your blood system, you become infected..for life. In the United states HIV effects one in three hundred people. In South Africa, one in three. It is not curable but it is treatable and it is almost 100% preventable.

Join the Coastal AIDS Quilt Project as they help to raise awareness about HIV in our community.

We hope to see you there.

Johanna

$10,000! Thank you!

For each and everyone who gave and gave generously, thank you! In these times when the economy is so bad and budgets are so tight you continue to give. We appreciate you all more than you know.

Johanna

2010 5K Run and AIDS Walk

www.grandstrand runner.com

We want this to be the biggest AIDS Run/Walk event ever and we need your help. Start now telling your friends. Bring a group and walk as a team. There will be awards for the Individual and the Team that raises the most money this year! Won't you join us? We need your help to spread the word. Help us raise awareness, Help us raise money!

Hope to see you there!
Johanna

Spirit Halloween VIP Night event a great success!

Many thanks again to everyone! We appreciate you all more than you know.

Johanna

5K Run and AIDS Walk

This year we are working again with the Grand Strand Running Club to manage registration and the race. Our event will be held at Plyler Park on the corner of North Ocean Boulevard and 11th Avenue North at 8:30 am.

You may register on-line at www.GrandStrandRunner.com. On-line registration prior to October 30th is $20, $10 for ages 12-18 and children under 12 are free. Late registration will begin at 8:30 am and be $25, $15 for ages 12-18 and children under 12 are free.

As always, we encourage individuals and teams to raise money for the event beyond registration. Individual and team collections should at a minimum cover the registration fee for each participant. Teams can be made up of families, friends, schools, churches, businesses, fraternities, etc. Awards will be given to the individual and to the team that raises the most money. Runners and walkers will also win placement awards. Careteam’s 2010 5K Run and AIDS Walk is an easy way to raise money without placing a huge burden on anyone. As you ask friends to sponsor you for the event remember that no contribution is too small. Five or ten dollars from people you know can really add up.

More than ever, Careteam needs your help this year. Please consider joining us on October 30th. We’ll look forward to seeing you there. Should you have further questions, please call me at 843-236-9000.

Johanna

Spirit Halloween VIP Night 30 more tickets plus a raffle for computer

Thank you again to Korey and Dave for choosing Careteam for this chairty fundraiser.

Johanna

Spirit Halloween VIP Night 2010

Spetember 19th from 7pm - midnight

Dining With Friends 2010

Regardless we hope to see you at the Myrtle BEach Train Depot on April 24th at 9pm. Come help us raise money and celebrate our success. You won't find a more fun way to raise money or a more deserving charity on the Beach.

We hope to see you there!

Johanna

Save the ADIS Drug Assistance Program State House Rally

The ADAP program manager told me yesterday that the new ADAP waiting list is expected to last until the first of next year. That estimate was made assuming that the state would continue its support of the program at the amounts listed above. Those funds are desparately needed to ensure that everyone living with HIV in our state has uninterrupted access to life sustaining medications. We need your help today. Our local Senators Yancy McGill from Williamsburg County and Dick Elliott from Horry County both serve on the Senate Finance Committee. Budget appropriations are now in their hands. Contact them today and let them know that you support the state's continued support of ADAP.

A wait list means that no new individuals will be added to ADAP until the number of people being served on the program decreases. Currently there are more people on the program than the funds available can support. A waiting list means extended delays in people starting medications while they wait for applications to be processed through pharmaceutical company patient assitance programs. Delays result in increased and extended illnesses and hospitalizations.

People living with HIV who are on medications are less likely to have regular hospital visits and they are less likely to transmit HIV to others. Treatment is PREVENTION. It prevents unnecessary hospitalizations and prevents new infections. Treatment also keeps people healthy and able to work. ADAP provides life saving medications for about $10,000 per year per person. One hospitalization can cost four times that much. And, without medications people living with HIV will end up in the hospital and they won't be at work.

Unfortunately, government decisions are based on the bottom line ...how much does it cost. We would love that financial support would be available based on improved health alone. The good thing for all is that treatment eqauals good health and smart financing.

Help our representatives understand the huge cost savings that preventive medicine provides. Tax payers pay the cost of medical treatment for the uninsured one way or the other.

COME JOIN US AT THE RALLY. IF YOU CAN'T, CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE!

Please pass along this information to your friends. We need all the help we can get. The more people our representatives hear from the more attention our need gets. If you need a ride call me today! 843-236-9000

Our Office Is Moving!

World AIDS Day 2009

World AIDS Day 2009

Red Ribbon Firends has been working hard to raise money for Careteam since 2001. These funds come to Careteam in the form of a grant to be used specifically for gays and lesbians who are living with HIV in OUR community. Careteam received a check for $3,000 Saturday night! To date, Red Ribbon Firends, with the help of CLAWS has raised over $40,000 for Careteam. We appreciate your dedication to the HIV community and your vigilance in helping to stop the spread of this terrible disease through Prevention Education.

Don't stop spreading the word. Today, Prevention IS the only cure. Let's not wait for the medical cure, let's stop the spread of HIV today. People are listening. The time is right. You know how I know that? At 1:00 am in a bar full of partying people...everyone stopped what they were doing, stopped what they were saying, and took a full minute to silently remember the loved ones we've lost. When was the last time you saw that happen?

2009 5K RUn and AIDS Walk - Great success!

There were many very generous sponsors who helped us reach our goal. You can help me thank them by choosing to give them your business. Our Sponsors were: Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Waccamaw Cardiology, Responsive Solutions, Red Ribbon Friends and Coastal Carolina OB/GYN. Some very generous friends included: Seaboard Signs who provided all of our signs and posters, Starbucks who provided coffee for volunteers and participants, Chris Rudisill Designs who provided our poster and shirt graphics, and Margaret Curry with New York Life who provided the sound system and music. Margaret Curry was also present providing free child ID cards for our younger participants. Life Line Chiropractic provided adjustments and chair massage for participants and donated 100% of those proceeds back to Careteam. Thank you to all of our Sponsors and Friends!

Thank you to all who gave very generously in this difficult economic time. We appreciate your support more than ever!

Careteam's 5K Run and AIDS Walk

Registration is available online at www.grandstrandrunner.com.
...or you can click on the poster on our home page for a link to their website.
Don't wait! The sooner you register the cheaper the fee.
Call your friends and start building teams!

We are really looking forward to the race this year. If you have questions call our office at 236-9000.

Can't wait to see you there!
Johanna

Recent HIV Testing at Time Out - TEST RESULTS

Thanks!
Johanna

Careteam is looking for Volunteers "old" and "new"

There are different volunteer opportunities available at Careteam. Some involve contact with our clients such as transporting our clients to medical appointments, other opportunities are more clerical and some are specific to our fundraising events. While Careteam does not have need for volunteers everyday, being able to call on help when we need it is important. Knowing this will help you decide what opportunities best fit your schedule. No amount of time is too small. Whether you help out every week or once every few months, we need you and we appreciate all that you do.

We are scheduling a new and refresher volunteer orientation in the next couple of weeks. Call Stevie Wyatt at 236-9000 today to be included. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

With great appreciation,

Johanna

2009 Dining With Friends a great success!

This year we had twelve host parties and three restaurants had special events to raise money. We had several new hosts join us: Mr. Issaac and Mrs. Tracy Bailey, Ms. Stevie Wyatt and Ms. Judy Douglas, Ms. Sandy Adams, Mr. Wayne Herndon and Dr. John Reilly, Rev. Tommy Tipton and, Rev. and Mrs. William McNeil. Thank you all. I hope your experience was a good one and that you will return to help us next year. Many thanks to our repeat hosts: Dr. Keith E. Wyche and Mr. Clark Vereen, Drs. Gordon, Hayes and Dulcos, Coastal Carolina OB-GYN Drs. Washington and Bozeman, South Strand Eye Associates Dr. Tully, Mr. Gene Broyles and Mrs. Danielle DelPercio, Mr. Keith Bowling and Mr. John Manley and, Mrs. Sandra Saunders and Mrs. Brenda Rosen. The Rainbow House contributed 10% from all food sales for the month of April. Liberty Steak House and Crady’s both hosted a special evening with 10% of proceeds going to Dining With Friends. A special thanks goes to the friends of our long time supporter, Dave Heckman of the Charleston Café who made contributions in his memory. We miss you Dave!

This year the Dining With Friends Committee added our “Guess Who’s Coming For Dinner...” Artist Auction. It was great fun, the art was incredible and it helped raise more money for the event. Thank you to each and every one who contributed plates for our auction: Lisa Blayton, Terry Brennan, Wendy Brennan, Lon Calhoun, Cathy Collins, Kim Dawn, Sarah Geriach, Christine Marie Giguere, Global Awareness Project, Sage Graham, Steven Haines, Robert Lukey, Renee Marie Noaell, Christy Lane Roberts, Robin Roberts, Chris Rudisill, Robert Sadlemire, Abby Sink, Rick Spivey, Tommy Starling, Bill Strydesky, Olivia Thompson, Veronica Walters, Alex Washington, the Cast and Crew of Sherlock Holmes and, the Cast and Crew of Jersey Boys.
Each year, Careteam honors the host(s) who raised the most money at their dinner party. Our 2009 Top Host Award went to Dr. Wyche and Mr. Vereen whose party raised over $7,000. Many of our host(s) hold “theme” dinners. The “Best Dressed” Award went to Mr. Ted Ross from Ms. Sandy Adams “Roman Empire” party.

Careteam took the opportunity at our After Party Celebration to honor some other very important people. Our 2009 Community Partner Award went to Dr. John Covington and Sexton Dental Clinic. We appreciate the many years of support and service you have given to Careteam and our clients. The 2009 Volunteer of the Year went to Chris Rudisill. Chris has worked tirelessly and without charge for the past several years creating all of our graphic designs for Dining With Friends and the AIDS Walk. We appreciate your generosity and for sharing your talent with us.
The 2009 Dining With Friends Committee, chaired by Jamey Sellars worked very hard this year. Committee members were: Chris Rudisill, Darrell Senter, Wayne Herndon, Gene Broyles and Danielle DelPercio. Producing an event like ours takes many months, weeks and hours. We so appreciate their time and commitment.

Thank you all! See you next year!

Johanna

Careteam Honored with Secretary of State’s Coveted 2008 Angels Award

“The Board of Directors and staff of Careteam are honored to be publically acknowledged by the public servants who monitor the effectiveness of charities,” said Keith E. Wyche, M.D., President of Careteam’s Board of Directors. “It takes a great team working diligently to ensure the best possible and most cost effective service. Our staff and Board work hard to ensure that our clients benefit from every dollar we receive. We are very proud to be receiving this prestigious award.”

Careteam’s compelling mission is to empower its community with the means to STOP the spread of HIV through Prevention, Education, Treatment and Support. To this end, Careteam has two primary goals, 1) to provide access to medical care and treatment for people living with HIV in Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties and 2) to provide free and confidential HIV testing and awareness education to those at risk for HIV disease. Last year, Careteam provided medical care and treatment for 500 people for less than $2,000 per person. “While eighty-six percent (86%) of Careteam’s $1 M budget comes from federal grants, this funding is not sufficient to ensure that everyone who needs medical treatment and support receives it,” said Johanna Haynes, Careteam’s CEO. “We depend on community support from individuals and private foundations to fill the gaps of insufficient federal funding.”

“Everyone is feeling the economic crunch today,” added Haynes. “Careteam expects budget cuts this year along with everyone else. We know there are many very deserving charities in our community who need financial support. We appreciate when donors choose Careteam and we don’t take it for granted. That is why we work hard to be good stewards of all contributions made to our organization.”

I want to thank our Board of Directors, dedicated staff and host of faithful volunteers for all the hard work you do for Careteam and for our clients every day. Today is your day. Congratulations!

Johanna

AIDS Walk 2008

There were many very generous sponsors this year who helped us reach our goal. You can help me thank them by choosing to give them business when you need their services. They are: Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Responsive Solutions, Starbucks Coffee, Waccamaw Cardiology, CLAWS, Red Ribbon Friends, Bank of America, South Strand Eye Associates and Burroughs & Chapin. Seaboard Signs provided all of our signs and banners. Better Brands provided drinks. Surge Weekly Magazine provided our graphics and advertising. As always a special thanks to Alternatives News Magazine and GS Magazine for their advertsing supprt. Thank you again to all of our sponsors.

Last but certainly not least, thank you to all who came to walk, volunteer and raise money for this year's event. There are no words to express the gratitude we feel to each and every one of you. You are the reason we can continue the work that we do!

Sincerely,

Johanna

AIDS Walk 2008

Last year, Careteam raised over $15,000. $5,500 of that was raised by walkers on the day of the event. The rest was sponsorships and other donations received after the event. This year we want to double that amount and we can with just a little additional effort from each walkers. Here is how. Start building support for the walk right now. Whether you walk with a group or alone now is the time to start asking others to sponsor you on the walk. It's easy to do and a great way to increase the amount of money you help raise. If you have friends or family who can't walk this year, ask them to sponsor you to walk for them. If you have 10 people sponsor you for $10 each you've just raised $100 for the walk! Forming a team is another way to increase the amount of money you raise. Teams can be made of friends, family,church groups, work groups or social groups. If your church group has 20 people walking and each of them asks 10 people to sponsor their walk for $10 each, you've just raised the amount of money you helped raise from $100 to $2,000. You don't have to limit your sponsorships to $10 either. Ask people to give as much as they can. For some that will be $10. For others that could be $50 or more! Last year we had close to 150 people participate in the walk. We raised an average of $35 for each walker. If every walker gets 10 sponsors and brings at least two new walkers with you we could increase the amount raised by our walkers from $5,000 to $30,000. Easy!

So,start planning now. It's going to be our best AIDS Walk ever and you can help make that happen.

See you there!

Johanna

Dining With Friends 2008 a tremendous success!

Several party hosts had a friendly competition going on to see who could raise the most money. Everyone was trying to raise more than our Top Host last year, John covington and Robert Lukey. While John and Robert still hold the most money raised position our Top Hosts this year came very close. Congratulations and a very big THANK YOU goes to Gene Broyles and Danille DelPercio. Their party raised $9600!

Gene and Danille played a big part in helping us raise $50,000 this year. They worked hard, had fun and squeezed money from everyone they knew. They were not alone. We had Hosts from years past come back to Host again. We had new Hosts join us bringing new friends with them. Whether your party raised $90 or $9000, every party, every dollar, every supporter and every gift counted. We could not have done this without all of you. Thank you ALL!

As we wind down and rest up from this year's successful event its not too early to start planning for next year. Start compiling your guest list, planning your menu and mark your calendars now for April 25, 2009! We hope to see you all again next year!

Thankfully,

Johanna Haynes, Executive Director
Keith E. Wyche, President, Board of Directors
Sandra Saunders, DWF 2008 Committee, Careteam Board of Directors
Tim McGhee, DWF 2008 Committee
Jamey Sellars, DWF 2008 Committee
Gene Broyles, DWF 2008 Committee
Danielle Del Percio, DWF 2008 Committee
Chris Rudisill, DWF 2008 Committee

Dining With Friends 2008

Mark your calendars now for April 26th.

Over the past few years Careteam has experienced an incredible roller coaster ride of our federal funding. We have survived and we are wiser for the experience. The staff and Board of Directors have learned a very valuable lesson; we cannot depend solely on federal funding to take care of our clients. With that in mind we have initiated a challenging financial development goal. We expect that in five years 1/3 of our budget, $350,000 will come from fundraising events and annual giving programs. That is a tall order for a handful of faithful supporters. It is not so difficult for a community of supporters. The easiest way for our Dining With Friends event to raise more money is to have more parties. Last year, we had 13 parties and raised almost $44,000. You can do the math. Double the number of parties, double the amount we raise. The other way to increase the amount of money we raise is to increase the number of businesses who Sponsor the event. Please check out the Sponsorship Levels information included with this letter. If you own your business, consider Sponsoring Dining With Friends 2008. If you have friends who are business owners, please pass this opportunity along to them. We need your help today.

If you’ve hosted a party for us in the past you know how it works. If not, don’t worry. It’s easy; your friends, your home, your menu, followed by a fun filled After Party Celebration. We supply the party invitations for you to mail to your guest list. The invitation will let your friends know that this is a fundraising event for Careteam. You do not have to ask for money. If they are coming to your party they know they are being asked to contribute. It doesn’t matter if your party raises $300 or $10,000. Every party is important in helping us reach our goal.

Won’t you please join Careteam’s list of family and friends who participate in Dining With Friends 2008. Call our office today for details and to request your invitations. Thank you again for your faithful support.

Sincerely,

Johanna Haynes, Executive Director