CAOF Quarterly

 

Spring  2006                                                                                             Volume 4  Issue 2

 

 

 

In this Issue:

1.       Chung To visits Twin Cities

2.       CAOF Grantee, Li Dan to be Given Reebok Human Right Award

3.       Meet Li Dan and Members of the China Orchid AIDS Project

4.       The Second Annual Peony Festival is Coming Soon!

5.       Board Members Needed

6.       One Time Event Volunteers Needed

7.       Subscribing and Unsubscribing

 

 

 

 

Chung To Will Visit Twin Cities tomorrow, April 8, 2006!

 

CAOF grantee, Chung To, the dynamic leader of the Chi-Heng Foundation (CHF) of Hong Kong, is visiting the Twin Cities this weekend.  Chung received bachelor and master degrees from Columbia and Harvard Universities.  He gave up his career in business and finance with major US corporations to raise awareness of AIDS issues and to champion the cause of AIDS orphans in China. This well-respected leader has been at the forefront of efforts to help China's AIDS Orphans since the earliest awareness of the crisis.  He has received multiple awards for his dedication and achievement in addressing the crisis.

 

Chung will make a presentation this Saturday, April 8, 2006 from 11:30 am to 1 pm at the Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Ave. S., Richfield, MN 55423. The Community Center is located ½ mile north of I-494 on Nicollet AvenueCtrl Click HERE for directions and map.  

 

His talk will focus on the AIDS crisis in central China, the orphans, and the approach and progress Chi Heng has made.

 

Lunch will be available at $5.  This event is open to the public. Come hear what changes your donations are making in the lives of AIDS Orphans in China!

 

For further information contact May Yue 952-929-7665.

 

 

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CAOF Grantee, Li Dan to be Given Reebok Human Rights Award

 

CAOF is very pleased to acknowledge that on May 17th, CAOF Grantee, Li Dan of the China Orchid AIDS Project will be honored as a recipient of the 11th annual Reebok Human Rights Award. 

The Reebok Human Rights Award recognizes activists under the age of 30, who have made significant contributions to the field of human rights strictly through nonviolent means. Since the awards were established in 1988, more than 60 recipients from over 35 countries have received the award. The Award aims to generate positive international attention for the recipients and to support their efforts. Since 1988, more than 60 recipients from over 35 countries have received the award.

Honorees receive a $50,000 grant from the Reebok Human Rights Foundation to further their work. Nominees are submitted from around the world by prominent individuals in the human rights community and by non-governmental organizations. Recipients are selected by the Reebok Human Rights Board of Advisors. To learn more about the extraordinary work of these young heroes, go to CURRENT AWARDEES and PAST AWARDEES on the Reebok Human Rights Award web page http://www.reebok.com/x/us/humanRights/text-only/awards/   Their efforts have been responsible for inspiring action in others who have been moved by their incredible stories.

Reebok Human Rights Awardees have formed an international network called Forefront that facilitates the exchange of information, provides support and technical assistance, and responds to human rights crises around the world. Award recipients also participate in community activities to help raise public awareness of human rights issues.

Li Dan has been an inspiring and tireless advocate of the rights of AIDS Orphans in China.

View the entire Boston Globe news story here: http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2006/03/28/transcript_of_interview_with_li_dan/

 

 

 

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Second Annual World AIDS Orphan Day Event Hosted by CAOF

 

The China AIDS Orphan Fund, in cooperation with Illume International and The Children’s Home Society of Minnesota, will host the second World AIDS Orphan Day Event on Sunday, May 7th from 2:00 until 5:00 PM.  This year’s event will be held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 3045 Chicago Avenue from 2:00 - 5:00 PM [Ctrl] [click] here for map and directions:  http://www.mountolivechurch.org/map_directions.htm

 

 

Our speakers this year will include a winner of the 2006 Reebok Human Rights Award, Li Dan for his heroic efforts on behalf of the AIDS Orphans of Henan Province, China.  Dr, Anil Mangla, Chief of Public Health in Illinois and formerly with the MN chapter of the UN has also agreed to speak about the AIDS crisis as it affects orphans in Africa

 

Refreshments and a social hour in the church hall will close the day with an opportunity to view brief presentations by a number of local organizations involved in AIDS Orphan outreach.

 

 

 

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Meet Li Dan and Members of the China Orchid AIDS Project

 

At 6 PM on Monday May 8th, CAOF will host a dinner for the award winning AIDS orphan activist, Li Dan at the Ho Ho Gourmet Restaurant.  This is a very casual event and simply an opportunity to connect with Li Dan and get to know him and other members of the China AIDS Orchid Project in a more casual setting.  It is such a rare opportunity to meet personally with the people doing the work we support a half a globe away, that we encourage any of our supporters who are able, to come.  There is no cost for the event per se, but each participant will be responsible for his or her own meal cost.  Additionally, no reservations will be taken, although we would like an informal head count by Friday May 5th.  If you are able to attend please contact Peg Helminski 651-739-0119 or E-mail PegHelminski@aol with your name and the number in your party.

 

 

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 The Second Annual Peony Festival is Coming Soon!

 

 

Announcing Peony Festival 2006 – The second annual fund raiser to benefit the China AIDS Orphan Fund (CAOF) to be held on Thursday, May 25th, 2006

 

What:             Peony Festival 2006 will feature an exciting new “Chinese experience” where guests will be magically transported on a vicarious journey to five different, exotic places in China while enjoying a five-course Chinese dinner! You’ll experience the magic & excitement of remote Inner Mongolia, tranquil Yangshuo, sophisticated Hong Kong, the sacred island of Putuoshan and bustling Kashgar. Everything from the food to the décor, silent auction and entertainment will reflect the beauty, culture and atmosphere of these exciting destinations! Ticket price is $75 per person and $30 is tax-deductible. 

 

Why:              Funds raised from the event will benefit the China AIDS Orphan Fund, a 501(c)(3) charity.  CAOF’s goal is to improve the lives of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in the Henan Province of China due to improper blood collection procedures over a decade ago.  By conservative estimates, over 1 million Chinese adults have contracted HIV/AIDS.  As adults succumb slowly to the disease, their children often must shoulder the responsibility for their care and that of younger siblings.  CAOF’s activities include fundraising, research, education, advocacy, and grants to assist Chinese non-profit organizations with:

 

Ø      Education for AIDS orphans

Ø      Humanitarian services to families

Ø      Medical care and training

Ø      Foster care and orphanage programs

 

Where &

When:            Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis

35 South Seventh Street

Minneapolis Minnesota 55402

Phone: 612.339.4900

 

-5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Cocktail Hour and Silent Auction

-7:00 pm Five-course Chinese banquet featuring dishes inspired by each of the five destinations

-7:30 pm Traditional Chinese Music and entertainment

-8:15 pm CAOF overview by Thomas Ting, President of CAOF

-Attire: Semi-formal; Festive attire encouraged

-Attendance is expected to be 250-300 people

Media contact: Echo Huang, CFP, CPA at (952)-693-2647

For more information, visit the CAOF website at www.chinaaidsorphanfund.org.

 

 

 

 

 

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 New Board Members Needed

 

 

Have you been reading these newsletters for some time and thinking, “I wish I could do more?”

 

Do you have an area of expertise, experience or enthusiasm that could strengthen our efforts?

 

Are you interested in being an active member of a hard working, deeply committed, really nice group of volunteers?

 

Are you willing to commit to monthly Minneapolis based board meetings and also work on special projects as assigned?

 

If so, we want to talk with you!

 

The China AIDS Orphan Fund is seeking new board members to fill some recent vacancies.  If you feel you would like to help in our efforts in a more direct, hands-on way, please call Communications Coordinator, Peg Helminski 651-335-7207 or e-mail PegHelminski@aol.com.  She will answer your preliminary questions and schedule a time for you to meet the other members of the board so that we may explore together the possibility of a good fit for your volunteer efforts.

 

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One Time Event Volunteers Needed

 

Do you want to roll up your shirt sleeves and help but can’t commit to ongoing meetings? 

Have we got opportunities for you!

 

The Peony Festival Organizers need people to help set up decorations on the afternoon of May 25th.  If you can help, contact Echo Huang, CFP, CPA at (952)-693-2647.

 

World AIDS Orphan Day needs a few cheerful people to greet and direct participants as they arrive at Mt. Olive Church and/or to pour beverages and keep the refreshment trays filled during the social hour at the end of the event on May 7th.   If you’ve got a welcoming smile, and can lend a hand that day, contact Peg Helminski at 651-739-0119 or e-mail PegHelminski@aol.com

 

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SUBSCRIBING AND UNSUBSCRIBING

 

If you have been subscribed in error and do not wish to receive future editions of the CAOF Quarterly, please E-mail  http://health.groups.yahoo.com/unsubscribe/chinaaidsorphanfund and write Unsubscribe in the subject line. 

 

If someone passed this newsletter on to you and you would like to become a regular subscriber, please E-mail http://healthgroups.yahoo.com/subscribe/chinaaidsorphanfund and write Subscribe in the subject line.

 

If you know someone who used to subscribe but whose address was inadvertently deleted, or who might like to receive our E-newsletter and periodic updates,  simply have them send an E-mail to:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/chinaaidsorphanfund and write Subscribe in the subject line.

 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the China AIDS Orphan Fund or with issues presented in this newsletter, please feel free to contact Peg Helminski, CAOF Communications Coordinator, PegHelminski@aol.com

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