Thanks to the generous support of local community members and H-E-B, we were able to give out 41 Holiday Baskets to our HIV case management clients in need, which fed more than 78 adults and 53 children. (Above: Left to Right): ERSICSS Emperor 13 Jerel McNeil, Criminal Justice Liaison Francis Bueno, Community Projects Specialist Meleah Jones, Case Manager Shelly Zepeda, and ERSICSS Empress XI Rusty a.k.a. Crystal Rae Lee Love gathered on December 9 to put together the baskets.
Each included a turkey and all the fixings to make a nutritious holiday meal.
At MCC’s staff Holiday Party on December 17, awards were presented to MCC’s Employee, Student, and Volunteer of the Year:
Colleagues of Youth Program Specialist Deb Murphy congratulate her on the Employee of the Year Award. Murphy received the honor by a staff vote because of her ceaseless dedication to the HATCH program.
Executive Director Ann J. Robison, PhD, Student of the Year Paul LePhuoc, and Board President Chris Robertson smile for the camera. LePhuoc received this award because of his excellent skills working with our LIFE and Chemical Dependency clients, as well as his help with our Coming Out and Long-Term Survivors of HIV Support Groups.
Community Projects Specialist Meleah Jones, Robison, Volunteer of the Year Paul Allen, and Robertson celebrate Allen’s award, which was given to him for his leadership in and dedication to our volunteer program.
Magnolia Party President Sandra Dee Reyna (center) presents a $1,026 donation for HATCH to Community Projects Specialist Meleah Jones and Associate Executive Director Eric Carrera. The annual party, which was held on December 3, has been raising money for local charities for the past 20 years and is a long-time supporter of HATCH.
“Better Tomorrows” Hope for LGBT Youth Event Organizer Adrian Orta presents Community Projects Specialist Meleah Jones with a $1,000 donation for HATCH. The event, which was held at TC’s Showbar, is the first of many Orta plans to hold in support of our youth program.
In appreciation of ERSICSS’s support of HATCH and MCC, we are honored to display a case of ERSICSS trophies in our lobby on the 2nd Floor. The next time you’re here, please take a moment to peruse its contents to learn more about this fabulous organization which, since it began in 1984, has donated more than $1,000,000 to local HIV and GLBT charities!