Donations given to clients and their families on World AIDS Day
Positively Living & Choice Health Network along with Samaritan Ministries continued a holiday tradition started by Covenant Health’s Hope Center by giving “HOPE for the Holidays” on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day. The observance unites people in the fight against HIV, shows support for people living with HIV and commemorates those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
Positively Living & Choice Health Network providers distributed at their Knoxville clinic HOPE Buckets to 116 clients who have been affected by HIV/AIDS or sought services. Additionally, the organization distributed “Angel Tree” gifts for 73 children and lunches for clients.
Statewide, the organization distributed HOPE Buckets to 188 clients and “Angel Tree” gifts for 128 children. The organization also has offices in Chattanooga, Cookeville and Memphis.
“Since our founding in 1996, Positively Living’s purpose has been to care for those living with HIV and AIDS,” said Steve Jenkins, CEO of Positively Living & Choice Health Network. “Our mission is still to provide compassionate, holistic care to those patients, as well as to others who have historically lacked access. The HOPE Bucket program is a longstanding tradition in Knoxville. This year, we’ve brought it to three additional cities across the state, because we know families rely on it for necessities and comfort during the holidays.”
“HOPE Buckets” are reusable tote bags holding hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and other everyday essentials. In 2020, the organization began including “Angel Tree” gifts for children of HIV/AIDS clients and gift cards for groceries. This year, Positively Living & Choice Health Network expanded the HOPE Bucket program to clients in its Memphis, Chattanooga and Cookeville locations. Statewide, the organization distributed 188 HOPE Buckets and “Angel Tree” gifts for 128 children.
Samaritan Ministries partnered with the organization again this year, contributing 131 HOPE Buckets.
The HOPE Bucket story began in 2000, when Carol Ann Buchanan founded the annual program in honor of her brother, Chucky Moyers. Positively Living & Choice Health Network established “The Health, Equity and HOPE Fund” at the East Tennessee Foundation with a $20,000 endowment from the Hope Center after it closed in 2019. The HOPE Fund’s purpose is to ensure people affected by HIV have access to useful items during the holidays. It also funds opportunities to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS.
Since the launch of Choice Health Network in 2018, the nonprofit’s providers are serving three times the number of people – 6,000 individuals and families in four cities across the state – compared to when the nonprofit undertook the HOPE Bucket legacy.
Positively Living & Choice Health Network relies on donations to serve those affected by HIV/AIDS and to keep Moyers’ legacy alive. Make contributions at choicehealthnetwork.org/donate and designate support for the HOPE for the Holidays program.
Additionally, Positively Living & Choice Health Network has a separate fund to cover the costs of other client needs year-round, including copay assistance, emergency food aid, car repairs so that clients can maintain care appointments and more.
“We are grateful to the generous donors who have given to this worthy cause and hope to inspire others in the community,” Jenkins said. “These donations help us deliver hope during the holidays, as well as health and equity every day at our clinics and offices.”
Visit choicehealthnetwork.org for more information about Positively Living & Choice Health and sign up for the email newsletter.
About Positively Living & Choice Health Network
Positively Living & Choice Health Network is a 501(c)(3) public health nonprofit serving Tennessee’s most vulnerable populations: more than 6,000 individuals and families struggling to survive the challenges created by HIV, homelessness, mental illness, substance use and LGBTQ+ discrimination. The organization has offices in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis and Upper Cumberland. For more information, visit https://choicehealthnetwork.org.
