By Rhonda Spears
March 29, 2004

Macon (GA) Mayor C. Jack Ellis recently hosted a mayoral HIV/AIDS fundraiser to further raise awareness about the seriousness of the AIDS pandemic in Africa. With the help of corporate sponsors in Macon, Ellis, who participated in the Conference of Mayors Mission to Africa last summer, raised nearly $40,000 to benefit the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders on HIV/AIDS in Africa (AMICAALL) in Jinja, Uganda, the Middle Georgia Council on Drugs, and the Central City AIDS Network.

Ellis said, "We had a goal of $25,000 and we have exceeded that goal. We are pleased that this money will help serve the children and orphans in Jinja, Uganda." Mayor David Wakudumira of Jinja was also on hand to help spread the message about HIV/AIDS in his city and how his country is a best practice in education and awareness.

During the fundraising dinner, Ellis also honored Conference Executive Director Tom Cochran for his vision of bringing African mayors together with US mayors to share experiences and build collaborative partnerships in response to the devastating impact of the AIDS pandemic in Africa. In his tribute to Cochran, Ellis said, "Tom looked beyond D.C. and this country. He looked beyond these shores to the people in Africa. You gave this mission legs and we (mayors) are going to walk."