Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Volunteers needed to help with NAMES quilt display

By Michelle Alaimo

The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial quilt is coming to Los Gatos High School. Four 3-feet-by 6-feet--coffin size--sections of the famous quilt will be displayed at the school from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 as part of an 18-month grant obtained by the Los Gatos- Saratoga Joint Union High School District.

The "Making Safer Choices" grant, obtained from the California Department of Education, will fund prevention education about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases for high school students, particularly females, at both schools in the district. L.D. Hirschklau, the district's project coordinator, said the decision was made to target girls in early adolescence, particularly freshmen, because that is where the highest rate of HIV infection is occurring among new HIV/AIDS patients.

Thirty-five sophomore and junior LGHS girls underwent training last spring to serve as peer counselors to freshman girls and to help when the quilt comes to the school.

Other events planned for the week include the making of a quilt panel for a Los Gatos family. Coordinator Rebecca Herr said a family has been approached, but details cannot be released until the family confirms that they want the quilt panel made. She added that the NAMES project cannot release the names on the quilt panels that are coming to LGHS, but Herr has requested the section with the panel for Guy Nakatani, made last year at Saratoga High School. The panel was recently received by the NAMES project and has yet to be added to a section. Herr said she could not yet confirm whether Nakatani's panel can be displayed at LGHS.

The goal is to have the exhibit open to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Herr said. She is seeking volunteers to help with publicity, panel-making, celebrations and speakers, hanging the quilt panels and security. Additional funding from service groups and individuals is also needed to help pay for the week's activities.

Those interested should contact Rebecca Herr at 354-7256.

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