Houston, February 16, 2009 - There is a philosophy that says charity starts at home. This is a philosophy that Calvin Tarver is all too familiar with. In 2004 Calvin was informed that his son was HIV positive. As a concerned parent and a concerned citizen Mr. Tarver felt more should be done to inform the general public of the severity of this disease. He responded to this news of his son's status and the community by founding God Bless HIV & AIDS Awareness.

God Bless HIV & AIDS Awareness is an IRS recognized 501(c) 3 organization whose function is simple and whose mission is solid. It is simply a group of volunteers that blanket the city with informational fliers, brochures and signs that serve as a constant reminder that this disease is real and it is claiming lives everyday. These groups of volunteers are out on the street corners everyday in the heat, rain and cold to inform the community that every 8 hour another person is infected with HIV. It is projected that between the years 2000 and 2020 approximately 68 million people will die prematurely as a result of AIDS.

Once God Bless HIV & AIDS Awareness became mobilized in the community they were approached by homeless and hungry Houstonians. In response to the community, God Bless HIV & AIDS Awareness started another branch called God Bless Charities. While the volunteers are out passing out information about the devastating effect HIV and AIDS is having in the community they are also raising funds to assist the homeless and the hungry.

Thanks to the donations of Houstonians, God Bless Charities has held sever food drives and clothing drives collecting more than 5,000 pieces of clothing and feeding more than 2,500 homeless Houston families. God Bless knows that they have a responsibility to do the right thing with the funds that are collected on the streets of Houston. This organization is such a great resource for the city of Houston.

God Bless has been criticized for the living status of its volunteers. But this non-profit organization has helped over 800 homeless citizens turn their lives around and get back into the main stream of society, which actually adds value to the city. These volunteers now have a sense of purpose and joy. These once drug abusers, alcoholics and homeless citizens are cleaning themselves up and fighting for the good cause of stopping the spread of HIV & AIDS. God Bless has taken them out of their down trotting position and giving them an opportunity to contribute to the community.
Please visit www.calgbchouston.org for more information about God Bless and to contribute to its cause and mission.