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Get Your Walking Shoes On For Upcoming AIDS Walks

All across Michigan folks are gathering pledges and getting ready to lace up their sneakers for one of nine AIDS walks across the state. Eight of those walks are AIDS Walk Michigan events (with walks beginning Sept. 15 through the end of Sept.), while AIDS Walk Detroit runs independently in Royal Oak and is set to take place Sept. 16.
The walks raise money for agencies that provide HIV/AIDS prevention, advocacy and support services and for many organizations this is their biggest fundraiser of the year.
Last year over 700 people walked in the AIDS Walk Michigan Great Lakes Region walk, raising over $50,000 for The Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center in Saginaw. The center serves clients from ten counties in mid-Michigan. In addition to helping patients, they do HIV testing and prevention.
Tom Brubaker, community relations coordinator of the Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center said that in the past eight years since his community has been involved, he has seen the event grow. "The past four years it has turned out very well," Brubaker said. "We have terrific sponsors and volunteers. Our donors and walkers are so generous. It's a wonderful collaborative effort and you should see all the people that come out to the park. It helps raise awareness and involvement." So far they have raised over $30,000 online.
Their walk will be held on Sept. 22 at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City, with local radio station 102.5 WIOG Radio DJ's giving the walkers encouragement, free samples from Starbucks, a variety of musical performances and fun for everyone. Their main sponsor, Dow Chemical, is known for their support of the LGBT and HIV positive community. https://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=52346
Each of the other eight walks has a similar premise, with a walk and extra entertainment, education and advocacy. Each walk raises money for organizations in their area and they all work together for promotion and saving money where bulk purchases and collaborations are appropriate.

AIDS Walk Michigan Detroit

Barbara Murray, executive director of AIDS Partnership Michigan, manages the AIDS Walk Michigan Detroit event and is the statewide chair.
This year the Detroit walk has a new location. In collaboration with the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, walkers will be able to enjoy the scenic Dequindre Cut as they walk to raise money to fight AIDS.
"I'm excited to be in an urban jewel that they worked so hard on developing," Murray said. The AIDS Partnership Michigan Detroit Walk also takes place Sept. 22 beginning at Rivard Riverfront Plaza (1340 Atwater Street, Detroit). It benefits several Detroit-based agencies: AIDS Partnership Michigan, Community Health Awareness Group, Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion, Horizon Project of Wayne State University and Ruth Ellis Center.
Other AIDS Walk Michigan events take place in Ann Arbor/Jackson, Central Michigan, Flint, Lansing/East Lansing and Northern Michigan Saturday, Sept 15; Saturday and Sunday Sept 22-23; and Sept 29-30. To find out more go to http://www.aidswalkmichigan.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1022805.

AIDS Walk Detroit in Royal Oak

In addition to the statewide walks there is AIDS Walk Detroit which will be held in downtown Royal Oak on Sept. 16. AIDS Walk Detroit is the longest running walk in Michigan, begun over 20 years ago. This year'sd goals are to have 3,500 walkers and to raise $200,000 to help funding for organizations that deal with HIV/AIDS related issues. Last year's teams went home with over $83,000 with the balance of monies given out in grants. To learn more check out http://www.aidswalkdetroit.org.

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