Summer is always the busiest time of year for HIV West Yellowhead, but it’s also the most fun for the many volunteers and staff that keep the society afloat. 

From July 15 to 31 the society ran a predatory drug awareness campaign in Jasper. The campaign was held to provide awareness to the people that attend local pubs and lounges to keep an eye on their drinks when out on the town. 

Volunteer co-ordinator for HIV West Yellowhead, Kai Okazaki, and some volunteers went to a few bars in town and left coasters with information on the tops of unattended drinks. Along with the coasters, a Helpline card with resources was left. Okazaki said the amount of unattended drinks was startling, but he noticed a decline towards the end of the month. 

“It was going really smoothly the times I was out,” he said. 

Okazaki suggests the best way to avoid having a drink spiked with a predatory drug, is to leave it with friends if you cannot bring it with you. 

July 31, HIV West Yellowhead hosted Halloween in July, an annual celebration and party that brings out some fantastic costumes. 

“The bar was packed,” Okazaki said. 

The event raised $1,253 from cover charges, which will go towards the many projects and initiatives put on throughout the year by HIV West Yellowhead. 

On July 9, the annual Beach Party Fashion Show was held. Together with Halloween in July, $2,200 was raised. 

On July 23, Servers Against AIDS day was held throughout the town. On this day every year, servers donate their tips to the cause. The money is donated to HIV West Yellowhead and the Steven Lewis Foundation, which is a grassroots movement that supports women, orphans and grandmothers who have been affected directly or indirectly by HIV/AIDS. 

Okazaki said they get about 15 to 20 restaurants participating every year, and the typical amount raised is between $3,000 and $6,000. This year $3,400 was collected. 

Andrea Terrill, a server at Jasper Pizza Place, donated her tips to the cause once again this year.

“I personally worked a double [shift] that day, so I donated quite a bit,” she said. “I do it every summer. It’s a great cause and I am happy to do it because I know where the money is going. Stavro [Korogonas], our boss, matches whatever we raise as well.”

HIV West Yellowhead has a number of great events still coming up. The first is a Volunteer Appreciation night on Aug. 16 at the Legion for the many people that continually help out the society. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. and go until 9:30 p.m. There will be food and live music with Okazaki and young adult outreach worker Lisa Riddell’s band the Slip-ons. 

On Aug. 22 the Hot Times Volleyball Tournament is coming back to Lake Annette. The returning favourite will be a fun round robin-style tournament with 16 spaces available. There will be a free barbecue and music. There is still space for a few teams, and Okazaki is encouraging businesses to get in on the fun and compete against each other at the fun tournament. 

To register call the HIV West Yellowhead office at 780-852-5274, or drop by the office located at 622 Connaught Dr. in the clocktower mall. 

Oral Sex Awareness Week is being held from Aug. 14 to 20. Volunteers will be out in the communities served by HIV West Yellowhead, including Jasper, handing out flavoured condoms and candy. 

HIV West Yellowhead is always looking for volunteers. Contact or drop by the office for more information. Information is also available on the group’s Facebook page.