AIDS Project planning World AIDS Day events

Bells at Lawrence churches and the Kansas University Campanile will ring Sunday to commemorate the 15th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

The bells will toll 21 times between noon and 1 p.m. to signify 21 years of the AIDS epidemic.

More than 60 million people are infected with the virus that causes AIDS. More than 100 people contract HIV every day in the United States.

âÂÂThe unfortunate aspect of current infection trends in the United States is that approximately one-third of the people living with HIV do not know they are infected,â said Sidney Hardgrave, executive director of the Douglas County AIDS Project.

DCAP also will stage its 10th annual Red Ribbon Art Auction featuring art from area artists, above, at 6 p.m. Sunday at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott, 1 Riverfront Plaza. Proceeds benefit DCAP.

In addition to the bell-ringing and auction, a public reception is slated for 5:30 p.m. Monday at KUâÂÂs Helen Foresman Spencer Museum of Art in conjunction with a display of panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The panels will remain until Dec. 8.

Community

Salvation Army kicks off annual red kettle drive

The Salvation Army officially started its annual red kettle fund-raiser Friday with a ceremony at Ninth and Massachusetts streets.

Salvation Army officials hope to collect $75,000 from kettle donations in Lawrence this holiday season; they hope to raise $200,000 overall when kettle receipts are combined with mail-in donations.

âÂÂItâÂÂs very important,â said Judy Bauer, chairwoman of the Salvation ArmyâÂÂs Christmas Committee. âÂÂWe use the money collected throughout this coming year to support our social services.âÂÂ

The organization raised $212,000 last year.

Bauer said paid and volunteer bell-ringers were needed to work at the 21 sites throughout Lawrence. For more information, call 843-4188.