AIDS Walk Detroit coming Sept. 18

AIDS Walk Detroit, a Steppin' Out fundraiser that raises money to fund grants for HIV/AIDS agencies, will begin at 8 a.m. Sept. 18 at the Royal Oak Farmer's Market.
The funds raised allow Steppin' Out, a prevention/education programming funder, to provide grants to HIV/AIDS agencies. These agencies use the funds to offer services to those living with HIV/AIDS in the metro Detroit area.
Steppin' Out also offers a more immediate funding to AIDS service providers through its "Agency Walk Team Program." Agencies that form teams of 10 or more walkers will receive 97 percent of their pledges to use as seen fit.
This year's walk also commemorates Steppin' Out's 20th anniversary. Created in 1991, the agency has granted over $3 million to a variety of agencies throughout Michigan.
Many groups and organizations have already raised significant amounts of pledges. Those include Affirmations, Dignity Detroit, Health Emergency Lifeline Programs and Franklin High School of Livonia.
Last year, AIDS Walk Detroit raised nearly $160,000. For this year's walk, teams and individual walkers have already raised $81,000. Steppin' Out anticipates over 3,500 participants for the Sept. 18 walk.
The Royal Oak Farmer's Market is located at 316 E. 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak. For more information on AIDS Walk Detroit 2011, visit http://www.aidswalkdetroit.org.