People in the Hudson Valley and across the nation are taking the time to honor World AIDS Day Thursday. Family, friends and health care workers took part in a prayer service at Robert Yeager Health Center in Pomona to commemorate the day. The director of TOUCH, a private organization that offers help to people living with AIDS, says the problem is growing locally because education has trailed off in recent years. He says there are almost 500 confirmed cases of HIV or AIDS in Rockland County. The Rockland County Department of Health offered free HIV tests in Congers where workers drew blood and returned test results in minutes. Free and confidential HIV testing will be offered Friday as well.