For Release: IMMEDIATE
Date: December 9, 2005

AIDS Day Awards recognize outstanding service in N.C.

RALEIGH—Ten individuals and one organization have been recognized by the N.C. Division of Public Health with World AIDS Day Service Awards for their outstanding work serving people with HIV/AIDS across North Carolina.

Jim and Barbara Goodmon of Raleigh received the Marty Prairie Award for distinguished, bold and innovative community service and advocacy that has positively impacted North Carolina statewide. The Goodmons have used their positions as CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Corporation and executive director of the AJ Fletcher Foundation to increase public awareness regarding barriers to harm reduction and the difficulty of paying for AIDS medication. The award is named for North Carolinian Marty Prairie, who was known as an educator and crusader on behalf of those with HIV/AIDS, not only in North Carolina and the United States, but around the world. Prairie died in 2001.

Two individuals received Special Recognition Awards: Bengie Hair of Pinehurst and Betsy Richards of Wilson.

As a case manager, disease investigator and someone instrumental in developing the state’s HIV Care consortia system, Bengie Hair has dedicated more than 20 years to improving the health care and quality of life of those living with HIV.

Betsy Richards, FNP-C, is a passionate health care provider for over 200 clients living with HIV, chairperson for the N.C. HIV/AIDS Care Unit Advisory Committee, and a strong advocate for the health care of underserved, seasonal Latino farm workers and families in North Carolina.

Volunteer Service Awards went to six people: Raj Persaud of Clayton, Steve Hutchens of Durham, Jon Gentry of Greenville, Debbie Maye of Snow Hill, Stanley Porter of Winston-Salem, and Amy Reeder Worley of Charlotte.

Raj Persaud, a high-school junior, received the Youth Volunteer Service Award because he has remained an outspoken advocate for age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education in and out of schools and has engaged in HIV prevention work in South America and North America.

When the Pitt County AIDS Service Organization (PICASO) experienced a re-organization of personnel and was limited to one staff person to provide case management, education, and office supervision, Jon Gentry stepped in to volunteer 40 hours a week to support the staff person, the clients and the organization.

Steve Hutchens has volunteered for CAARE, Inc in progressive and diverse ways, from conducting computer trainings for people living with HIV/AIDS to developing a data system for more efficient and effective recordkeeping.

For nearly ten years, Debbie Maye has been a member of the Greene County HIV/STD Task Force, has facilitated a support group, and has been serving as an advocate for children infected and affected by HIV.

Stanley Porter serves as chair of the Ryan White Committee and is a facilitator for Brother 2 Brother.

Besides being a successful attorney, Amy Reeder Worley has provided her time and noteworthy leadership addressing the issues of people living with HIV and AIDS by serving as the chair of the Regional HIV/AIDS Consortium’s Allocations Committee for almost five years.

The Organizational Volunteer Service Award went to Jones Senior High School HIV Peer Educators. The group became certified peer educators so they could provide accurate information on HIV and STDs, encourage testing, and organize educational events for the student body of Jones Senior High School in Trenton.

North Carolina World AIDS Day Service Awards honor those who tirelessly and faithfully give their time, energy, and talents to serve those with HIV/AIDS. The awards were presented to the recipients by State Health Director Leah Devlin and other state health officials at the 2005 World AIDS Day Volunteer Service Awards Banquet in Durham on Dec. 6.

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