Who? More than 7,500 people are expected to participate in eight AIDS Walks across Michigan.
What? AIDS Walk Michigan is a non-profit organization that raises awareness of HIV and AIDS and raises money for AIDS services in participating Michigan communities.
Where and when?
Bay City/Midland/Saginaw. VeteranÕs Memorial Park, Bay City, 8:30-11:55 a.m., Sept. 30.
Detroit. Belle Isle Nature Zoo, (888) 791-WALK (9255), 8:30-11:55 a.m., Sept. 30.
Grand Rapids. First Place Building (207 E. Fulton), (616) 774-2177, Sept. 30
Greater Flint Area. International Institute, (810) 232-0888, Oct. 1
Lansing/East Lansing. Valley Court Park (East Lansing), (517) 394-3560, 10-11:55 a.m., Oct. 1.
Traverse City. Grand Traverse County Civic Center (1213 W. Circle Drive), Oct. 1.
Ann Arbor. Detroit Edison Building Parking Lot, (734) 544-0015, 1-3 p.m. Oct. 1
How? Funds for AIDS Walk Michigan come from a variety of sources. Individuals and teams participating in the 5k Walk ask for pledges from friends, family members and their communities. Corporate contributions and sponsorships (cash or in-kind) from area businesses are also donated. In addition, hundreds of companies, churches and organizations from Detroit to Kalamazoo raise funds to lend a hand. The funds generated by each AIDS Walk are dedicated to HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and services. All of the money raised by a community remains in that community to support its local AIDS services. Some local agencies direct all the money raised to a single service agency, while others divide their proceeds among more than one agency. The local agencies that benefit from AIDS Walk Michigan serve nearly 60 percent of the 15,500 Michigan residents living with HIV and AIDS. For some HIV/AIDS service organizations, the Walk is their primary fundraising event. All proceeds from AIDS Walk Michigan (Lansing) benefit the Lansing Area AIDS Network. 100 percent of the pledge dollars that are raised at this event will help to financially support the programs and services that assist LAAN clients.
More information: Visit http://www.aidswalkmichigan.org or call AIDS Walk Michigan at (888) 791-9255. For more information about the Lansing Area AIDS Network, to schedule an HIV Antibody Test or to volunteer, call (517) 394-3560 or visit LAAN on the web at http://www.laanonline.org.
