Jim Downey Wins a 5-Day, 4-Night Carnival Cruise

"Yippee!" is the simple exclamation that winner Jim Downey gives when asked to respond to winning a Carnival cruise for two. "I've never won anything!" the 58-year-old Los Angeles resident beams. Yet when we come together to fight AIDS, we all win. The Carnival cruise is just one way The Black AIDS Institute provides opportunities for everyone to get involved.

Downey, a banker for more than 30 years, is now self-employed. "Most of my clients are involved with television or other media, but as a volunteer, I have worked for GHMC and other AIDS organizations since as early as the mid-1980s."

Through his volunteer efforts, Downey has witnessed the effects of HIV/AIDS. "I've seen the disease and our communities' reaction evolve from the outset of the crisis to where we are today."

For the past 15 years, The Black AIDS Institute has been a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, finding innovative ways to engage and mobilize Black institutions and individuals to confront the virus. "The Institute's outreach to the urban community is critical, both to convey current and accurate information and to have an effective dialogue with African Americans who are at risk," Downey says.

The Drive Out AIDS Win a New Car raffle is one of the Institute's many community-engagement efforts. But there are only seven more days to enter the raffle for the 2014 Kia Forte, donated by Car Pros Kia of Carson, or a Carnival cruise for two to your choice of the western Caribbean, the Bahamas or Baja, Mexico. The drawing will be held May 20 at the Institute's Heroes in the Struggle Gala Reception and Awards Presentation. (You don't need to be present to win.) One hundred percent of the funds raised go directly to HIV/AIDS treatment, education, prevention and advocacy.

And here's an added incentive: If you buy a raffle ticket and refer someone else who buys a raffle ticket, you get a second raffle ticket for free. Go here or call 213-353-3610, ext. 107, to enter.

Gerald Garth is a Los Angeles-based writer, actor and accountant who works for The Black AIDS Institute.