GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE November 23, 2007

communitygroups

League donates candy and balls to center

by Todd Saporito

Cleveland-North Coast Athletics Volleyball has finished two benefits for the Cudell Recreation Center, one a candy collection for the center's annual Halloween party and the other a fundraising drive to buy new volleyballs for its co-ed volleyball league.

North Coast Athletics league members collected over 360 bags of candy this year for the Halloween party, which has over 500 children attending from the ages of infant to 17 years old. It is a safe environment for children to enjoy the holiday in the cityowned center. This year's contribution helped the Cudell staff have ample supplies, over 70% from the league.

League members worked hard over two weeks for the Halloween Candy Drive. Cudell was the beneficiary of North Coast Athletics Volleyball's first in-kind community fundraiser after it was formed in August of 2006, and its staff and Cleveland government have stood behind the league. This was the perfect way to continue support to the center.

The league acquired donations which were raffled off to anyone contributing candy. Each participant was encouraged to donate three bags of candy, receiving five raffle tickets. Prizes included an orange, black and white Tachikara volleyball and

two pairs of Cleveland Browns tickets. After the candy drive, raffle tickets were drawn. Reed Harrison won the Tachikara volleyball, and Matt Kerrigan and Mark Atkinson each won a pair of Cleveland Browns tick-

ets.

The best part of running this drive was delivering over 700 pounds of candy to Cudell, a retail value of over $1,200. League president Todd Saporito, director of in-kind community fundraisers John Powell and director of recruiting Kivin Bauzo delivered the candy on October 30. Spectators

North Coast Athletics Volleyball

and players alike were astounded by the amount of candy that was being sorted in the gymnasium.

Cudell manager Ron Fields was on hand to receive the donation. He expressed his appreciation and the City's appreciation by awarding North Coast Athletics a plaque proclaiming: “For your support and dedication to Cudell Recreation Center; We would like to thank you for helping us make a difference in our community."

The other benefit was the summer inkind community fundraiser. The league decided to use fees collected during open

gym to purchase much-needed volleyballs for Cudell's co-ed volleyball team. The league successfully collected enough funds to purchase eight quality volleyballs, a retail value of over $400.

"After seeing the co-ed team play during the fall of 2006, we felt it was important to help the center's team grow and expand," said leage vice-commissioner W. Doug Anderson. "There was no better way than to help them build up their equipment for the team."

"Many times, when we arrive for open

gym, players from the Cudell Recreation Center volleyball team watch in admiration the players of North Coast Athletics Volleyball," he continued. "Many times, before games

begin, several of the senior girls will come on the court, ask questions from Todd Saporito or myself. It's a pleasure to see their bright faces so interested in a sport that is near and dear to us all."

Saporito, Powell and Brian Tavolier delivered the volleyballs to the teams. The girls' eyes lit up in excitement as they took the courts to practice and play.

For more information about the North Coast Athletics Volleyball League, go to www.northcoastathletics.org. ♡

Todd Saporito is the commissioner of North Coast Athletics Volleyball.

'Take the lead' at World AIDS Day service

by Rev. Dave Shackle

Brecksville-Brecksville

United

Church of Christ offers to the community a World AIDS Day service, "Take the Lead, Keep the Promise,” at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 1.

Brecksville United Church of Christ

This service provides everyone in the community the opportunity to remember, honor, and commemorate friends and fam-

ily members who are living with the effects of HIV and AIDS and those who have died from the disease. The service begins at 6 p.m. A reception following the service will provide information from the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland.

The World AIDS Campaign was founded in 1997 by the joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS. The campaign connects and strengthens AIDS action and awareness efforts all over the world. One of the more visible aspects of the global campaign is the World AIDS Day, a day of shared global action and awareness held annually on December 1.

Brecksville United Church of Christ is located at 23 Public Square in Brecksville, just south of Cleveland. The church is on Ohio 82, just west of Ohio 21. For more information, call the church office at 440526-4364 e-mail buccoh@sbcglobal.net. The church is handicapped accessible. Free parking is available in the back of the church building, in the lot off Arlington Street. Brecksville United Church of Christ is a Just Peace church and an Open and Affirming congregation.

Rev. Dave Shackle is the pastor of Brecksville United Church of Christ.

CLAW is back at the Wyndham next year

Road tour to hit many cities this winter

by Gregory Erickson

Cleveland-The Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend board of directors has announced the Wyndham Cleveland Playhouse Square will be the convention host hotel for CLAW 7, set for April 24-27, 2008.

Reservations at the Wyndham are now being accepted with a special CLAW rate of $99 per night, with a two-night minimum required.

As in years past, the 205-room Wyndham will sell out very early due to demand and the popularity of the nation's fastest growing leather charity event. CLAW guests are encouraged to place reservations now. Additional information and a link to hotel reservations can be found on the CLAW web site at www.clawinfo.org.

CLAW packages and individual tickets are now available for purchase. CLAW guests may buy a full-weekend package for a special discounted rate of $130. After

LAW

INE

March 1, 2008 the regular price will be $150; full retail value is $225.

The CLAW full-weekend package includes the Leather and Rouge Reväe, Juried BDSM/Erotic Art Show, International Leather Family Dinner, Leather Commu-

Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend

nity Brunch, Trolley Pass, Fetish Bar Party Pass, choice of cultural field trip, hotel parties and events, and CLAW merchandise. Individual event tickets are now available as well; all full-weekend packages and tickets may be purchased through the CLAW web site.

Preparations on the weekend itinerary are well underway with many new events and attractions planned for CLAW 7. The Leather and Rouge Revue will present the "Leather Tour of Duty" show Sunday

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Gay People's Chronicle!

evening. This outstanding production will feature a suave mix of swing and trance production numbers featuring the CLAW dancers, live performers including current leather titleholders, drag performances and the best in local DJ talent.

CLAW 7 will also feature a greatly expanded Juried BDSM/Erotic Art Show. Newly located in a facility adjacent to the host hotel, the art show will feature a full gallery presentation with expanded artist participation to celebrate its third year. BDSM and erotic artists interested in being featured in the art show can place inquires to the art show manager through the contacts section of the CLAW web site at www.clawinfo.org. More events for CLAW 7 are in the planning stage, additional information will be announced as plans are finalized.

The first annual "CLAW Nation Road Tour" will be taking place all across the U.S. and Canada this winter. Cities from New York and Toronto to Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles are represented, with over 20 stops confirmed on this promotional tour. More cities and dates are being added. CLAW is interested in speaking with leaders in the leather community willing to host a local "CLAW Nation Road Tour" event in your hometown. Information can be obtained by contacting Gregory Erickson at MLNEM4S@yahoo.com.

Gregory Erickson is the secretary of CLAW.

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Volume 23, Issue 21

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