SAN DIEGO – The San Diego LGBT Community Center has announced a special slate of activities to commemorate the 25th annual AIDS Walk. This silver anniversary weekend will take place Sept. 27-28.
This year’s event will feature the AIDS Walk & Run on Sat., Sept. 27, with additional community events and fundraisers taking place throughout the weekend in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of AIDS Walk.
“This is truly a milestone for our community, and symbolizes our longtime commitment to fighting this disease and supporting those impacted by it,” said Dr. Delores A. Jacobs, chief executive officer of The San Diego LGBT Community Center.
“This community event would not have survived without the incredible dedication and generosity of countless numbers of volunteers, walkers, donors and staff and board members – many of whom have been people living with HIV – who have made it happen for 25 years,” Jacobs said.
AIDS Walk weekend will bring more of the walk and festival into the Hillcrest community, with the route starting and ending at Normal and Harvey Milk streets, and the festival taking place on Normal Street.
“This special 25th anniversary weekend will allow our entire community the opportunity to participate in multiple ways to support local HIV/AIDS services and programs,” Jacobs said. “It’s also an opportunity to celebrate the community support we’ve received over the years, and to continue to make a statement of solidarity and support to all those who have been affected.”
The post-Walk activities on Saturday and Sunday will include brunches and other events in and around Hillcrest, all designed to raise additional funds for AIDS Walk.
During AIDS Walk weekend, local restaurants and clubs will donate 25 percent or more of their day’s sales to AIDS Walk. This will allow community members to continue to show their support for those living with HIV/AIDS, support local businesses that support HIV/AIDS services and raise additional funds for local HIV/AIDS service organizations.
AIDS Walk is San Diego County’s largest one-day HIV/AIDS fundraiser, and last year helped deliver nearly $400,000 in grants to 19 local agencies.
In addition to providing much-needed funding for local HIV/AIDS service organizations that serve the more than 20,000 people living with HIV in San Diego County, AIDS Walk helps raise awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS.
AIDS Walk San Diego is a program of The Center. More information is available by visiting www.AIDSWalkSD.org or contacting Ian Johnson, director of special events, at ijohnson@thecentersd.org or (619) 692-2077, ext. 247.
