Many AIDS Community Resources clients throughout its nine-county coverage area are counting on support from their local communities to help them have happy holidays.

Deputy Director of Development Carrie M. Large said the annual Holiday Angels program could help as many as 250 clients this year, including some from the north country.

“We do serve a lot of the poor, and they make decisions of, ‘Do I buy food to put on my table, buy my (HIV/AIDS) medication, or buy a present?’” she said. “It’s just needed items, such as hats, jackets, winter boots to walk to school, and even clothing to go on interviews.”

The agency is looking for people to become “angels” to purchase basic needs items from a client’s wish list. Items also include bedding and gifts for family members.

Program supporters may choose to help an individual client, or his or her family. Ms. Large said people who would like to help can also tell an agency representative how much they’d like to spend, and from there they’d be matched with a client’s request.

Clients include those who have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS throughout Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Cayuga, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego counties. The high cost of AIDS medication and treatment, along with many other financial strains clients face, contributes to their participation in the agency’s annual Holiday Angel program.

Ms. Large said monetary donations also are accepted for the program since the agency also provides a food card for clients to purchase items for a traditional holiday meal.

People interested in supporting the program can call the agency at 475-2430. Items should be returned to one of the agency’s offices by Dec. 6. AIDS Community Resources has offices in both Watertown and Canton.

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