'Friends' hopes for gift drive success
Lindsey Moss
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
Many students at Florida Southern College have heard Cathy Robinson-Pickett speak about her past. Now, she hopes to get the entire campus involved with what has become her passion.
Friends Together is sponsoring a gift drive for approximately 125 young children and teenagers affected with HIV and AIDS. It kicked off Nov. 15 and will last until Dec. 7.
When Robinson-Pickett was diagnosed with breast cancer on top of her HIV diagnosis, she thought that her life was over. But nonetheless, along with her then fiancé, Steve Pickett, she founded the Friends Together organization in 2000 to keep their work going.
Friends Together is an organization meant to raise further awareness and funds for the HIV and AIDS cause. Even though Picket passed away in 2005, Cathy still crusades for HIV/AIDS awareness around the state of Florida and the country. The organization also puts together four camps a year, so that HIV positive children, teenagers and their families can have fun for a weekend and not think about their troubles.
For students considering what to get for these children in need, they can simply consider what they would want if they were their age.
For teens, Robinson-Pickett suggested an iPod and music gift cards, bath essentials, cologne or perfume, movie passes, gas gift cards, small suitcases with wheels for them to take to camp, etc.
For younger children, students can purchase items such as handheld games, board games, balls, stocking stuffers or a small suitcase with wheels.
Gifts can be dropped off to Dr. William Gregory, associate professor of Communication; Kelly Andrews, senior director of Wellness Programs; Cathy Robison-Pickett, HIV/AIDS educator; or Dr. Patrick Smith, assistant professor of psychology.
Volunteers are also needed to help wrap the donated gifts on Dec. 10, 11, and 12 at the Life and Culture Center, and to help celebrate Christmas with the 125 children at a Christmas party that Friends Together is hosting at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lakeland on Dec. 15. Dr. Risdon Slate of the Criminology Department is going to be playing Santa Claus.
There are only about 10 people helping with these events at the present time, so any extra help is very much in need.
For more information about Friends Together and how they can help, students can e-mail Cathy at aidseducation@aol.com call Friends Together at (863) 686-7475 or visit www.friendstogether.org.
Friends Together is sponsoring a gift drive for approximately 125 young children and teenagers affected with HIV and AIDS. It kicked off Nov. 15 and will last until Dec. 7.
When Robinson-Pickett was diagnosed with breast cancer on top of her HIV diagnosis, she thought that her life was over. But nonetheless, along with her then fiancé, Steve Pickett, she founded the Friends Together organization in 2000 to keep their work going.
Friends Together is an organization meant to raise further awareness and funds for the HIV and AIDS cause. Even though Picket passed away in 2005, Cathy still crusades for HIV/AIDS awareness around the state of Florida and the country. The organization also puts together four camps a year, so that HIV positive children, teenagers and their families can have fun for a weekend and not think about their troubles.
For students considering what to get for these children in need, they can simply consider what they would want if they were their age.
For teens, Robinson-Pickett suggested an iPod and music gift cards, bath essentials, cologne or perfume, movie passes, gas gift cards, small suitcases with wheels for them to take to camp, etc.
For younger children, students can purchase items such as handheld games, board games, balls, stocking stuffers or a small suitcase with wheels.
Gifts can be dropped off to Dr. William Gregory, associate professor of Communication; Kelly Andrews, senior director of Wellness Programs; Cathy Robison-Pickett, HIV/AIDS educator; or Dr. Patrick Smith, assistant professor of psychology.
Volunteers are also needed to help wrap the donated gifts on Dec. 10, 11, and 12 at the Life and Culture Center, and to help celebrate Christmas with the 125 children at a Christmas party that Friends Together is hosting at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lakeland on Dec. 15. Dr. Risdon Slate of the Criminology Department is going to be playing Santa Claus.
There are only about 10 people helping with these events at the present time, so any extra help is very much in need.
For more information about Friends Together and how they can help, students can e-mail Cathy at aidseducation@aol.com call Friends Together at (863) 686-7475 or visit www.friendstogether.org.
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