On Monday, April 5th, Adam, Matan, Katherine and I all took a subway down to 24th street where we took part in the preparation of the AIDS walk. At six, we arrived, and walked up to the set up room where we were assigned to a table full of different papers. We were given chips, soda, and burritos, and were only asked to pack envelopes full of information about the AIDS walk. The work was easy but surprisingly not boring because we all had the company of each other. Lifting heavy boxes and signs was no longer required which made me wonder if all of the boxes i had seen in my earlier visits had been taken care of. That would be a huge accomplishment. Everything seemed to be organized and in great shape. Alma and Olivia, arrived about 20 minutes after Adam, Matan, Katherin, and I. I left at around eight and felt satisfied as i walked out the door.

Today at 6:30, Adam, Jasper, Alma, Matan, and I took the subway down to 24th street,

where we visited the New York Aids Walk organization. We had originally went there

to get an interview with their  volunteer coordinator Shaun Sheppard, who was also

the head of the program running in New York. after we were done with our interview,

we were given the opportunity to help them with some physical work. Much of the work

was stacking boxes and rolling them off to another destination. after that we took

empty boxes, broke them, and recycled them. Lastly, we had to push boxes that were

full of different advertisement for the AIDS walk into certain categorized destinations.

The work was easy and slightly boring but we were still satisfied with helping out.

I was suprised by how calm the work flow was. i guess that by this time, they had every

thing under control. Today, i learned that my group works much better when ther’s

more of us because then we can put all of out strength into the havy lifting

and get more things accomplished. we don’t get in each other’s way. the goal i set

for myself in my next vizit there, is to get there earlier, and be more enthusiastic

with my work.

Today from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Alma, Jasper, Katherine, and I all went to the “Gay Man’s Health Crisis” office and volunteered to help them prepare for their much anticipated AIDS walk. The first task that they had us do was to categorize heavy boxes that were full of stands that were advertising the AIDS walk by the letters that were written on them. once that had been done, we had to roll them to the other side of the room where other volunteers and such could work with them. Next, we were given a large box full of cards that were also advertisements of the AIDS walk. Our job was to pair them by 25 with a rubber band and put them lined up in a box. The final job that we were given was to put stickers on the advertising stands and box them back up while collecting and loose paper that was thrown in and putting it to the side. In the end, I would have to say that while the work seemed like a small factor in the big event, I knew that every little effort counted, and even by just filling a box  up with cards, we were doing a good deed. I would have liked to ask Sarah how she got affiliated with this group because she was the one that had set us up with it. I would like to remember a fact that one of the workers their told me. She explained that one of the things that inspired her to be a part of the organization was that she had a great sex Ed class. This was proof that education to the world on a topic such as this was important. The goal that I am setting for myself next time, is to ask any one that works there, if GMHC affiliated with any other charity groups.

On March 5th, friday afternoon, Jasper, Katherine, Adam and I, all went to the organization Aid For Aids.  This was the second time we had visited the organization. Sadly, we were assigned the same task that was given to us last time, which was to fold up pamphlets that gave important information about the deadly causes of HIV. Although the work was a little repetitive, in doing so, i realized how important the awareness of the dangers of HIV were. They wouldn’t put so much effort into getting thousands of pamphlets packaged with condoms, if it weren’t for that fact. The building was very clean and everybody seemed to be in top shape when it came to getting their job done. The whole floor was jumping with calm and organized business. My colleagues and I all tried to be fast and efficient while folding our pamphlets, and because of this, we were able to fill a box up with them all neatly stacked. While I am glad to do my part, I hope that next time we visit, i will be assigned to do something else, such as working with the medicine although i wont be surprised if they don’t allow that. I would like to ask my colleagues what they would rather do as opposed to folding pamphlets. Either way, I’m sure we were all glad to do our part.

On Friday, February 5, me Sarah, Adam, Olivia, Matan, Jasper, and Alma, all went downtown to an organization called Aid for AIDS. Once we arrived inside the building, we each were given our own I.D and we soon found ourself on the the elevator on the way up to the organization itself. when we arrived, we were greeted by a very friendly girl named Hanna who gave us a tour of the area. I think that the most motivating and incredible part of the tour was when she showed us the room full of medical supplies that people all over the country had sent to them in honor of what they were doing. The fact they were able to rebottle, and relabel everything, showed that they were organized and prepared to help anyone in time of disaster. After the tour, we were split in to two groups. In my group, was Matan, Katherine and Alma. Our job was to efficiently but carefully fold pamphlets giving important information about the dangers of AIDS and HIV. Once folded, these pamphlets would be packaged with condoms and the condoms would be sent to people in need. I learned from the folding that basic safety information can be very important to many different people. I also had fun spending time with my peers and we all enjoyed helping out a cause. Before we started, I felt excited and curious to see how Aid for AIDS had their goals accomplished. When I left I felt that I had this question answered. They achieved their goals by being organized, and by focusing their power into different branches of world issues. If I had to ask my group members a question, it would be what they hope to do next time we visit the orginization.