“Let’s Celebrate” This program is run for the children of San Diego County between the ages of 0 and 15 years who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. San Diego County estimates that there are over 100 children living in the County who have been diagnosed with this disease. FAM started the program in 1995 to “Celebrate” the lives of these children. In the early years FAM was able to provide a private birthday party for each child.
The “recession” that the San Diego area is still feeling, has reduced donations to FAM. Because of this, FAM is only able to provide a Christmas party for the children, their families and the care providers. In addition, FAM has been able to provide a gift to the younger children i.e. under 10, the 10-14 year olds do not receive gifts any more. The HIV/AIDS diseases do not get much attention any more in the media, however these diseases have not gone away. According to the CDC approximately 56,000 people are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the United States every year and approximately 6,000 of the new cases are children under 15.
The health care needs of these children is paid for under the State MediCal program in California and the families receive some additional
aid through various federal and state programs. These children are often treated poorly by their school peers if they can attend school as the stigma of HIV/AIDS is still prevalent in the population. If FAM could raise enough funds, it would restart the individual birthday parties and provide clothing, food, and bedding to the families of these children. FAM believes this is a unique program and welcomes any donations you can give to it.
“Homeless Veterans” According to the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless 22% (1,900) of the homeless in San Diego County are veterans and of that number about 300 are children under the age of 18. In 2010, FAM was able to secure donations to provide canned food for an annual food drive for veterans. In addition, FAM provided a propane stove, propane heater, cots, food, and bedding to a veteran and his three children who were living in a tent. If FAM receives enough donations from the good people looking at this web site, it will expand this program to provide help to homeless veterans on a year around basis.