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Dear Friends and Bridge Family,
Happy New Year!
As we all start 2025, I am again asking everyone to consider donating to PALSS - Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services. Although I'm later than the usual December donation drive again, we can still help PALSS start off the new year on a good note.
The Columbia Bridge Club members and Unit 160 have been supporting this organization for the past eight years and I would like to continue the tradition.
PALSS serves all of South Carolina and provides services and support to individuals, families, children, and caregivers affected by HIV/AIDS and other conditions. With December not only being the time for giving but also HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention month, it is still the perfect time to donate to this wonderful cause.
You all know that I have donated hours and hours of my time there and I cannot stress the good that they do. Some personal notes:
- I worked with a sexual assault victim that drove from Charleston to Columbia to get tested because there were no affordable local options available (I made sure that this client paid nothing - due to our donations!).
- I go there for my PReP and have not had to pay anything.
- When I took a new job and there was a lapse in my health insurance, PALSS covered me and never had me pay anything.
- A friend recently tested positive for HIV during a routine checkup with their PCP. PALSS got them on that same day and started treatment immediately. They are continuing their care with PALSS and have not paid a dime. (For reference, the specialist referral from their PCP took two weeks for them to even make contact to schedule an appointment.)
Those are some of the personal stories I can share. Additionally, some of the services that PALSS provides includes:
- Affordable medical treatment for individuals (free up to $15)
- HIV and STI testing, treatment, prevention, and education
- Transportation for individuals in need
- Rent and Housing assistance
- Support groups for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS
- A men's clinic
- A women's clinic
- A Food Pantry for individuals in need
- Community outreach - homeless shelters, colleges and universities, community events, etc.
- Mental Health and Counseling Services for the Community
- And so much more! See www.palss.org for more info.
Please note that in the last four years, several other organizations in Columbia that provided some similar services have closed. This makes their work even more important.
Unit 160 has pledged a matching donation of up to $500. I know that we can reach that and hopefully so much more. In the past, we have raised between $1500 and $2500 per year.
As for the details, you can donate however you want. I am collecting the donations through JANUARY 31. You can drop your donation off to the Columbia Bridge Club and give it to the director, mail a check to me, or send a donation electronically. Please let me know if you need a receipt for tax purposes, and I will get that to you early in February (As long as checks are dated for December, you will get a tax receipt for 2024. If you send me money, I will write a check dated in December). Checks can be made out to me or to PALSS directly - whatever works best for you. I will give them the donation at the beginning of February and all tax receipts will be dated for December 2024.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me either via email, text, or phone. No amount is too small (or large ;-)). Check your couch cushions, look in your car, anything you can donate is greatly appreciated.
Finally, all donations go directly to support individuals in need, not administrative overhead.
Scott Dunn
2326 Harrison Rd.
Columbia, SC 29204
(231) 250-6776
scottmdunn@gmail.com
Venmo: @Scott-Dunn-76
CashApp: $ScottDunn76
PayPal: scottmdunn@gmail.com
Thank you all for your generous support! If there is someone you know that might be interested in donating, please share this with them! And for the Bridge Family, you'll also get another copy of this from Constant Contact (thank you for your patience and understanding!)
Scott
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