Dear Friends:

We are Central Illinois FRIENDS of People with AIDS would like to extend to you the warmest wishes for this upcoming New Year.

It is with great thanks to you our donors, corporate sponsors, granters, and private foundations that we were able to provide over $349,000 in assistance to the clients that we served last year.

2009 was an eventful year with the introduction and implementation of a new rural transportation program provided through a partial grant by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Peoria City County Health Department.  This program will help us enable clients in outlying areas to continue medical services and emotional support which are conducive to a more stable living environment, and reinforce a positive attitude when dealing with their ongoing issues of adherence to a complicated medical routine.

It is a continuing struggle and emotional battle when dealing with a disease that has no face for so many people due to stigma and denial.  With continued funding from the Heart of Illinois United Way, federal and state grants, as well as your private contributions, my hopes with a New Year is to tear down the walls and stigma associated with HIV.  It is more prevalent within the heterosexual population since its discovery - but yet the community continues to deny its existence.  And of those that might have not been so purposeful with their life ..don't they deserve the comfort of a roof over their head, a warm bed, or medicine to offset this preventable but incurable disease?

Remember that all our clients live at or below federal poverty guidelines.  Your donation, even one dollar can make such a difference...fifty dollars can help keep a family housed...one hundred can keep someone's hopes alive that there will be a tomorrow...please consider any size gift.  All contributions are tax deductible.  Please help us take care of our community.

We cannot turn our backs...we must find the compassion and purpose for caring about others that are helpless and do not deserve this horrific disease.

Best wishes,

Michael Maginn

Executive Director/CEO

FRIENDS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Donations are tax-deductible.  Please consult your tax advisor for specific details.

For more information on how to help FRIENDS, contact FRIENDS at:

Central Illinois FRIENDS of PWA, Inc.

PO Box 5022

Peoria, IL  60601-5022

Phone: 309.671.2144

Fax: 309.671.5108

Email: friendsofpwa@mmci.org