Now that I have your attention and stimulated your naughty thoughts, I must confess it is not as alluring as it sounds; but it is just as much fun I think.

What I am talking about is challenging all of you to participate in the upcoming fundraiser Bowling for Beswick being held at the Inglewood Lawn Bowling Association.

This is the third annual lawn bowling event for Beswick House and the SHARP Foundation; responsible for operating alongside Beswick House, the Scott House, 2011 House and the soon to be started Independence House.

Each of these projects by the SHARP Foundation provides person-specific support environments to meet individual needs. For example, someone who may require full time care and support with medications and everyday living needs would likely be housed in Beswick House, as it has been set up for full time care and support for those recovering from, and those passing on as a result of their HIV infection. Scott House and 2011 House are designed for those who are able to live more independently but may still require the connection, support and services that the SHARP Foundation provides for their specific needs.

Independence House; the newest and most exciting project for the Foundation is set to begin construction in the fall, if permit approvals go through as expected, and will provide fully independent living apartments with access to onsite services and supports to ensure a high quality of living and appropriate services for the residents. Expectations are that Independence House will be finished and open in the fall of 2010.

Now some may question why we would need so many different types of supports and perhaps ask further why does our community need such specific types of housing for People living with HIV/AIDS? The reality is that people living with HIV and or AIDS still battle with the stigma and discrimination at almost every level of society and service provision. From front line health care and social services to employers, landlords, fellow employees and even friends and family, the discrimination and stigma continues to hinder proper services once the dark little secret is out.

Safe and secure housing has proven to be a necessary item to ensure that persons living with HIV and AIDS have the best quality of life and chances for adhering to medication guidelines, employment and other every day activities that many of us take for granted. Without a safe and secure place to live, how can anyone with HIV or AIDS be expected to follow complicated medical programs, recovery and addiction programs, keep or look for a job, or just try to lead a normal life?

Without these current or soon to be implemented housing and support programs being provided by the SHARP Foundation, many of the people they serve would either not be with us, or living in conditions that would put them at greater risk for illness – not to mention a serious lack of access to medical and social supports.

As I am sure you are aware, operating these homes and services is costly and the SHARP Foundation is always in need of financial support from governments, pharmaceutical companies, private businesses, and us as individuals, to makes operations run effectively. With that said, it is important to know that all the monies raised at Bowling for Beswick will be donated to the SHARP Foundation to support each of the programs that they operate, or are in the midst of developing.

So please come on out and partake in the fun of a day of lawn bowling, enjoy the bar with beer, coolers and water for sale, as well as the ISCCA’s famous “tranny patties” on the BBQ for all to enjoy; prize draws and fun with friends.

No skills or experience required; just a willingness to come have fun and support a great cause with the little bit of summer we have left. See you there, playing with your balls!