Louisville AIDS Walk – Just Another Walk for Charity?
It’s that time of year again. It seems like there is a different Walk for charity every weekend. What makes the Louisville AIDS Walk different, where does the money go, and why should you participate?
As the Director of House of Ruth, an agency who receives funding from the Walk, I can tell you firsthand where the money goes and the difference it makes to the men, women and children affected by HIV and AIDS in our community.
The Louisville AIDS Walk is made possible each year by the efforts of hundreds of volunteers under the oversight of the AIDS Services Center Coalition, Inc. – a local non-profit dedicated to AIDS services and education. These dedicated volunteers help keep expenses below 11% and allow 100% of the Walk’s proceeds to be distributed to local AIDS organizations providing critical services for people with HIV/AIDS.
Just where exactly does the money raised by this Walk go? Great question. The money from each year’s Walk goes to local AIDS organization based on their written requests for funding of vital, direct client services for local people struggling with HIV/AIDS. These services include medical care, food, housing, counseling, transportation, case management, legal assistance, children’s activities and programs, emergency financial assistance, education and life skills workshops.
Each organization that receives funding from the Walk is held accountable for every dollar spent. Allocated funds must be spent on direct client services. Administrative costs are not funded by Louisville AIDS Walk dollars. Detailed quarterly reports are required from each agency that receives funding. Some of the past recipient organizations include; AIDS Interfaith Ministries of Kentuckiana, HIV/AIDS Legal Project of the Legal Aid Society, University of Louisville WINGS Clinic and House of Ruth.
Why should you participate? After all, aren’t there pills you can take that will cure AIDS? It must be on the decline. If only this was true. Although there are new and more effective mediations to better manage this disease, there is no cure for AIDS. In fact, twice as many people tested HIV positive at Louisville Metro Specialty Clinic in the first six months of 2007 than did the first six months of 2006. The Louisville Hospital WINGS HIV Medical Clinic Program Director reports that they are enrolling 20-30 new patients each month. There are more people in Louisville living with HIV today than ever before. Yes, there are over 35 million living with HIV/AIDS world-wide but there are over 4700 people living with AIDS in Kentucky with many more living with HIV. These individuals are your friends, your family, your coworkers, and your partners.
House of Ruth served 924 in 2006 and 1123 in 2007 (client and affected household members). This is over an 18% increase in one year. With our current economic climate we anticipate an even greater increase in people requesting assistance. I find myself begging more and receiving less. The Louisville AIDS Walk needs your support.
Those interested in participating in this year’s Walk may register free online at www.louisvilleaidswalk.org. The Kintera Web site allows participants to solicit online donations from family and friends. There are weekly fundraising incentive prizes, as well as overall fundraising prizes.
The AIDS Walk, 5K Run and the first time ever Pet Walk all begin at 3:00pm and follow the same route. The scenic, flat, 3.2 mile course starts on Louisville’s Belvedere, crosses the Clark Memorial Bridge to Jeffersonville which provides panoramic views of the Ohio River and city skyline and returns back to the Belvedere.
It all starts at 1:00pm on the Belvedere with food, beverages and on-site registration. Younger Walkers may enjoy the inflatables, ice-cream, face painting and costumed characters at our KidZone. A professional photographer will be onsite taking Team Photos and each team gets one free photo. We’ll have a variety of live entertainment and special guests including: Dawne Gee, Congressman John Yarmuth, Mayor Jerry Abramson, Dr. Adewale Troutman, Voices of Kentuckiana, River City Drum Corp, the Fern Creek High School R.O.T.C. Color Guard, Voice, the UofL Ladybirds and Pep Band.
Get involved in the local fight against AIDS today! Form a team, sign up online and start collecting pledges today! You can download a pledge form, register for the Walk or Run, learn more about the Walk, sign up to volunteer or make a secure online donation today on the website: www.louisvilleaidswalk.org. You can easily set up your own personalized web page with the online fundraising site where your family, friends and co-workers can sponsor you in the Walk.
It is up to you to make a difference. Until There is a Cure – It is Not Over!
By Linda Underwood
Executive Director, House of Ruth