It seems odd to think about AIDS Walk when a glance out the window shows nothing but March snow and slush. But Spring is just around the corner; the snow and slush will melt, and hundreds of people will gather Lakeside at Delaware Park on Saturday, May 21 for AIDS Walk 2011. Each year, the AIDS Community Services team is among the largest, and Team Captain Gary Williams invites you to help carry on that proud tradition in 2011. Visit www.firstgiving.com/AIDSWalkBuffalo to register, join the ACS team, set a goal and start your fundraising... all online! The team is looking for a name, so if you have ideas send them to Gary. Would you like to join the $500 Club? The $500 Club was created to recognize walkers who raised $500 or more, as well as captains whose teams raise $1500 or more (there were 15 $500 Club members in 2011). Raising $500 isn’t easy, but $500 Club members will receive an AIDS Walk t-shirt, sling bag and aluminum water bottle as well as an exclusive dryfit pullover jacket. In addition, for every $500 raised, members will receive an entry in our grand prize drawing for two roundtrip JetBlue airline tickets. The more money you raise, the better your odds! And you’re not alone. The AIDS Walk staff is here to help you raise $500 and beyond! Contact Kim Luangpakdy (kluangpakdy via e-mail or at extension 315) for an AIDS Walk fundraising toolkit or information on setting up an AIDS Walk team of your own. Raising money for AIDS Walk feels great, but there are also some great fundraising incentives. Note: all levels above Level Five include all the benefits of previous levels, as well, including membership in the $500 Club. Level One (Raise $50) AIDS Walk t-shirt; Level Two (Raise $150) sling bag; Level Three (Raise $300) aluminum water bottle; Level Four (Raise $500) induction into the exclusive 500 Club, AIDS Walk pullover dry-fit jacket plus all the prizes offered at levels one two and three; Level Five (Raise $750) sports backpack; Level Six (Raise $1,000) rolling speaker cooler; Level Seven (Raise $1,500) digital photo frame; Level Eight (Raise $2,000) weekend duffle bag; Level Nine (Raise $3,000) TravelPro Expandable Suitcase. We’ll see you on May 21st! C
cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year
Submitted by Liya Moolchan Beginning February 17, 2011, New York drivers who are caught talking on their cell phones without a headset will gain two points on their driving records — which means higher insurance costs. The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced the change this week. Previously, no points were assigned for talking on a cell phone although two points are assigned for texting while driving violations. The new regulation will align the point penalty for both violations. “Distracted driving is one of the most serious dangers on our roadways today,” said J. David Sampson, DMV executive deputy commissioner. “By strengthening the current law, our hope is that motorists will become even more aware of the potential consequences of their actions if they use a cell phone while driving.” Ten years ago, New York became the first in the nation to adopt a statewide ban on handheld cell phone use while driving in 2001. In 2009, a law eliminating the use of portable electronic devices for texting while driving took effect, a violation that currently has two points attached to it along with a $150 fine. In New York, driver distraction is a contributing factor in at least one out of five crashes, officials say. Each year over 300,000 tickets are issued statewide for cell phone violations. C
Birthdays Carrie Sentz — 03/12 Theresa Shankland — 03/12 Nichole Sherwood — 03/15 Patricia Hopkins — 03/17 Mindi Mietlicki — 03/18 Kaitlyn Cieri — 03/20 Kathleen Gallivan — 03/22 Siobohn Moley — 03/23 Johanna Aponte — 03/26 Christina Ferella — 03/26 Michelle Fetes — 03/26 Joshua McClain — 03/27
Anniversaries Alain Rodriguez — 1 year Christina Ferella — 3 years Angela Palmer — 10 years
Your Continued Dedication and Hard Work Are Noticed and Appreciated! – The Management Team
CONNECTIONS CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR KIM LUANGPAKDY PUBLISHER/LAYOUT JOHN CAROCCI CONTRIBUTORS KIM LUANGPAKDY ANDY KIENER, LIYA MOOLCHAN, GARY WILLIAMS
Tipping the Scales Έ I N T H E I R FAV O R A N D T H E A G E N C Y ’ S Ή by Gary Williams Kim Harding and Gary Williams had been trying since the end of summer to lose weight (to fit into a summer dress and participate in a “naked” ride—you’re guess is as good as mine as to who’s doing what), to get healthier, and reach a healthier Body Mass Index (BMI). When she began at ACS, approximately 20 pounds and one year ago, Kim started a “baking club” with other employees in order to showcase their baking skills and tantalize and delight each other with their sweet creations. [How’s that going now, Kim?] Twenty-two pounds and 5 years ago, when he trained
for his bike ride across the state, raising money for AIDS Community Services, Gary dropped from 185 to his riding weight of 170. While he thought he was still overweight at 170, he vowed to remain at this weight where he was more comfortable; however, he stopped exercising and slowly regained the weight, and then some (December 1st weight was 207). Well, the end of summer had come and gone with no weight loss for either of them. Thanksgiving came and enough was enough. Both Kim and Gary decided to get serious about their health and
knew they needed each other’s help to succeed. They devised a game whereby the other would have to pay for their own indulgences (of overeating and not losing weight) by treating the winner who loses the greatest percentage of weight each month with a $25 gift certificate of choice. In addition to the monthly gift certificate from the loser to the winner, there would be a $5 penalty each week for gaining or remaining at the same weight. This money is being collected until the end of May, at which point it would be disbursed to the players by percentage of weight lost over the six months. The thought of losing hard-earned money by not earnestly attempting to lose weight was now incentive for them to move forward. They set healthy goals and a deadline — 40 pounds each over a six- month timeline. News travels as fast as pounds add up — now two more staff wanted in the game — Sheila Stephens with a 40-pound weight loss goal and Mark Schnitzer with a 20-pound weight loss goal and a chance to earn some cold hard cash. On December 1, this “Too Cool for School” crew, known in their circle as Kimber Girl, SheRa, GWilli, and Schnitzie, set out on their sixmonth journey with a commitment to get healthier, lose weight, and lower their BMIs. According to BMI charts, at the beginning of the weight loss program, two members were considered obese and the other two unhealthily overweight. Each of their personal weight loss goals will take them well into the healthy area of the BMI charts. They lovingly chastise, count every calorie consumed (even if they aren’t the one consuming), offer support via motivational texts and emails and guidance by sharing helpful Internet resources. Knowing they cannot do it alone, they hold themselves accountable to each other. Every Wednesday morning you can see the gang travel together to the Wellness Center to weigh in, usually with a cheerleader or two. In just seven weeks, more than 30 pounds have been lost and gym memberships are being utilized. With their goal of June 1st, the Too Cool for School Crew is on their way to becoming healthier and more fit. In June, to celebrate their victory and hard work, the crew will donate food equal to their weight loss
to the pantry. Also, knowing once June 1 arrives that keeping the weight off will be difficult, the crew has decided to keep the challenge going. Provided that everyone’s original goal is met, each will allow themselves a 4-pound cushion from the original goal and then donate $5/month to the agency via Adopta-Family, Pantry, or Wellness Center for any weight gained beyond that cushion. The Too Cool for School Crew knows of others out there who have inquired about their journey and are unsure how to get started on their own weight loss journey. They offer the following advice: • find a buddy and hold yourself accountable to each other • knowledge is power • join the salad club (see Kate Gallivan) • share your healthy tips and resources with each other • be prepared to sacrifice (can’t get different results with the same ol’ plan) • eat healthy… starving provides short-term results. 1.5 lbs/week weight loss is a realistic goal • most of all—be realistic with your goals—there is no quick fix Some of the free Internet resources that this group is using are: • Fitday.com (an excellent planning and tracking tool), • Livestrong.com, • Scoobysworkshop.com, along with nutritional guides found online—ahead of time—to their favorite restaurants and fast food joints. Yes, you can make healthy and informed choices. So if you see a member of this Too Cool for School gang, offer up encouragement and support. If you’d like to become a crew member or begin a group of your own and need some help getting started, they can hook you up. Since the original writing of this article, the Too Cool for School Crew recently welcomed J Ro and Jay Mo (Jerome Robinson and Johnny Mora) into the gang. C
Clockwise from Upper Left: Marcus and friends enjoying the Chocolate Party; the Fourth Floor Bake-Off’s winning entry; Bake-Off winner Johanna with her prizes; Lindsay in “Monster Mode” during craft time at the Wellness Center; the Drayton family at the Awards Reception, where son Xavier was honored by the Pride Center.
Save the date: Tuesday, April 26. Nearly 100 Western New York restaurants across Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua counties will participate in the 9th Annual Dining Out for Life! On Tuesday, April 26, participating restaurants will donate 25% or more of their day’s food sales to AIDS Community Services. It’s really that simple: all you have to donate is your appetite. How often does volunteering include dining out!? The success of Dining Out for Life relies on volunteer ambassadors, who serve as publicists for the restaurant they are assigned to represent. Ambassadors invite everyone they know to dine at their selected restaurant to dine out on April 26. On the night of the event, ambassadors approach tables to explain the restaurant’s generosity and give all diners the chance to enter a free raffle, and to make an additional donation to the cause if they wish. For information on becoming a volunteer ambassador, contact Kim Luangpakdy at kluangpakdy@aidscommunityservices. com or at extension 315. Stay tuned! A complete list of participating restaurants will be published in the April Connections. You can also see an up-to-date list at www.diningoutforlife.com/westernnewyork, and follow the event on Facebook and Twitter at facebook.com/diningoutwny and twitter.com/diningoutwny. — Kim Luangpakdy