appointments or on other
errands. Perhaps you like
to play cards and would
not mind spending one
evening a week doing just
that with residents. Or
maybe you are one of those
who truly would value the
experience of caring for
people in their final days.
"It is important,” Ben
son says. “There needs to
be more places like Our
House. There is going to
be a real need for it. And
there is always going to be
a real need for volunteers.”
“Volunteers,” Siebert
says, “are a big part of the
family." JH
O ur H ouse
Joanne Barham and Ben Estes are two of Our House’s many longtime volunteers
uring its 15 years of operation, Our House
has seen an immense change in society’s
views of those with AIDS. However, much
remains to he learned.
“I am still surprised about the level of igno
rance with some people,” Siebert says. “I had
one volunteer who came in, signed up and then
had to bow out because her husband felt like she
would not be safe."
Benson adds, “As people are living longer
with HIV, people arc getting used to it.” As a
D
result, she notes, some are not being as careful as
they once were.
“There are a lot of misconceptions concern
ing transmission and the like,” Bryant adds. “I
can say before I came to Our House, I was one
of the misinformed."
Finally, Sellers and Siebert say that there is
always a need for more volunteers and that
there is a place for everyone. It doesn’t matter if
you just want to help peel potatoes on Friday
nights or if you want to take residents to
of
P ortland
will celebrate its 15 th
Anniversary Open House
from 2 to 5 p.m. March 16
at 2727 S.E. Alder St.
The program begins at 3 p.m.
with Heartfelt Awards and
Remembrance. Food and
refreshments will be provided.
To volunteer call Kathryn
Siebert at 503-234-0175.
is a
Portland free-lance writer
and a full-time Portland
State University student
who can be reached at
ruraltom@yahoo. com.
T om S tevenson
Kathryn Siebert (left) and Nancy Sellers display three quilts
memorializing those who have died at Our House
THERE'S A NEW NEIGHBOR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
WE LIVE WHERE YOU LIV E.1*
We help you buy your house.
You help someone at Our House.
Now that I'm right here in your
area, there's no one better than a
State Farm agent to serve your
insurance needs. Call me today.
Team Chakos Agency
W hen you work with Rose City
Mortgage Specialists and
RE/MAX Equity Group, you can
choose from eight charitable
organizations to donate S100 of
•your $500 loan processing fee.
That $ 100 could go to O ur
House and their mission to
enhance the quality of life for
our neighbors in the advanced
stages of AIDS.
503-681-21 18
katie.chakos.ngj5@ statefarm .com
LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
P02603
Rose Cit
Mortgage Specialists
equity group, inc.
Chrii Mee | 50.V635.0I0I | chrivu nnecitymtg com
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03/03
Serving your real estate
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State Farm insurance Companies • Home Offices Bloomington, Illinois
pain
sppincs
We re committed to helping you
get into your new home. But we
also see to it that the world is a
little better for it.
Our House residents Lonnie (bottom left) and Jim (top right) with
Equity Group's Ernest Cooper (top left) and Hose City Mortgage
Specialist Chris Mee (bottom right).
STATE FARM IS TH ERE.™
C ray
(
760 ) 833-5434
DBL
REALTORS
1345 N Palm Canyon Or
Palm Spring». CA 92262
HOMES
CONDOS
RES. INCOME
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