As the 1980s came to a close, Alan Jones grew weary of seeing friends and acquaintances die of AIDS. So he left his career working with those with mental illness and joined the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force as a caseworker.

"Just like with mental illness, I saw there was a stigma attached to being HIV positive. And I knew firsthand of people who had died of AIDS," said Mr. Jones, 52, of the North Side. "I felt a need to help."

Now a certified HIV prevention counselor at the task force, Mr. Jones in March was honored along with two other people and several corporations for their work at assisting those with the disease and educating others about how they can protect themselves from contracting it.

Mr. Jones was given the Founders' Award, which is presented to an individual who carries on the vision of the task force founders and demonstrates commitment through long-term service, among other things.

Theresa Orlando of Shaler received The Power of One Award for volunteering regularly at the task force's food pantry.

Mr. Jones said that while awareness about AIDS had improved since the early days of the disease, there was still much work to be done and, unfortunately, people sick with the disease who need help.

"We remind people they still need to be concerned and get tested," he said, noting that the task force offers free, anonymous testing for HIV. "We teach about safer sex and using condoms."

Ms. Orlando first volunteered for the task force in 2009, after she retired from her post as director of Miryam's House, a women's shelter.

As the force's pantry was going through a transition, she found her help was needed daily at first. She was more than happy to do it.

"It's a wonderful place," said Ms. Orlando, 71. "I meet a lot of nice people, and [the task force] treats the clients the way they should be, with respect and dignity."

Ms. Orlando, who now volunteers about once a week at the task force, said the pantry was different from many others, in that it allows allow clients to choose what they want rather than prepackaging bags of food.

Ms. Orlando, who also taught at several Diocese of Pittsburgh schools over the years, also was humbled by the award.

"I just wanted to do something I thought was worthwhile," she said. "I think we are all here to make a difference in the world."

Also honored by the task force was Susan Howard of Swissvale and of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, who was given the Sam Golden Award, named after Dr. Sam Golden, a former board member, supporter and volunteer executive director of the task force. The award is presented for an extraordinary contribution of time, talent and personal resources for the benefit of the force. Ms. Howard is director of the media arts lab at Filmmakers. She oversaw the production of a pro bono video for the task force that was unveiled at its 2009 annual campaign kickoff.

For more information about the services offered by the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, visit www.patf.org or call 1-888-204-8821.

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