MARCH 13 . 2004 • Q-NOTES
Regional
April AIDS walk to benefit
House of Mercy
Belmont's AIDS care facility can
house 12 individuals
House of Mercy, a nonprofit residential
facility serving persons living with advanced
AIDS, is preparing for its llth Annual Walk
for AIDS fundraiser, set for April 4 at 2 p.m.
House of Mercy is a not-for-profit residential
facilty for people living with AIDS.
This three-mile jaunt through historic
downtown Belmont is designed to raise
awareness of the HIV/AIDS problem in the
Metrolina region and raise funds to main
tain the operating costs of House of Mercy,
located in Belmont, NC.
Walkers of all ages are invited to take part
in this event by collecting sponsor money to
support their three-mile walk. Individuals
from churches, civic groups, schools and
other community organizations form teams
to walk together. A celebration will follow the
walk on the grounds of the residence. All
volunteers and participants are invited to the
reception afterwards to enjoy food, drinks
and live bluegrass music by The South Fork
Boys. Prizes will be awarded for the top
fundraisers and best banner.
Persons who cannot participate in the
Walk for AIDS are encouraged to sponsor
a walker or contact House of Mercy at 704-
825-3000 to find out more information
about volunteering directly with clients.
Volunteers can take residents to movies,
shopping, walks to the parks and more.
House of Mercy was founded in 1991 by
the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont to provide
housing and compassionate 24-hour care
for persons living with advanced AIDS
throughout the state. Approximately 200
men and women have made their home at
House of Mercy. Physical, psychological
and spiritual support is provided to resi
dents who are admitted without concern
for race, religion or sexual orienta
tion. House of Mercy is the only
facility of its type in the region and
is in its 12th year of operation.
According to stastics, states in the
south, with a third of the United
States population, account for
approximately 46 percent of all
HIV/AIDS cases. New cases of HIV
disease, totaling 1,692, were report
ed to the N.C. Division of Public
Health in 2002. This represents an
increase of 16 percent over 2001.
African-Americans and Hispanics
accounted for 70 percent of new
AIDS cases in 2002. The N.C.
Division of Health & Human Services
estimates at least 21,000 North
Carolinians are living with HIV/AIDS
with one-quarter to one-third of this
number unaware of their status.
To register or to learn more about how
to participate in this annual event, call
Marjorie Storch at House of Mercy,
704-825-4711.
Alyson Thomas Productions
presents
care
info: www.thehouseofmercy.org
Miss NC Continental and Continental Plus
Miss SC Continental and Continental Plus
19,2004
11:00 PM
Time Out
Myrtle Beach, SC
Featuring Entertainment By:
Erika Norell, Victoria Parker, Erika Noreii
Danielle Hunter, Shanice Jackson, Lola Lush, Amaya,
Kirby Kolby, Zakia Jemaceye, Imani Tate, Petite Dee Jonville
and Dominique Devaraux ■ *
For contestant information or pageant information, contact
Alyson Thomas
843-293-8983
i 1.
Victoria Parker
ABUNDANTGRACECHURCH
“Celebrating the Risen Christ”
We are a GLBT church with these emphases:
Contemporary Praise and Worship
Charismatic
Christ-centered
House of AfrIca
If you can't get to Africa...
then let Africa come to you.
1215 Thomas Avenue
off Central Avenue between
Pean and The Plaza
Charlotte, NC
704O76*6160
Hours:
Mon. - Sat. 11 am - 8 pm
For more African Art:
Safari International
1504 Central Avenue
704*376*6116
The House of Africa/Pape's Art Gallery offers
the area's largest selection of African art
including:
lion and zebra skins, statues, exquisite art,
antique and comtemporary masks, clothing,
jewelry and herbal medicines
Dedication Service
March 28, 2004
Park Inn Gateway Conference Center
Hickory, NC
Intersection of Highway 321 and Highway 70 SW
828-638-0566
email address;
gracechurchnc@yahoo.com
Pastor David Thomas