In recognition of 25 years of AIDS Walk, The San Diego LGBT Community Center has announced a special slate of events. The silver anniversary weekend will take place Sept. 26-28. AIDS Walk & Run will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, with additional community events throughout the weekend.
“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, CEO of The Center. AIDS Walk is a program of The Center.
“AIDS Walk 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,” she said.
This 25th anniversary gives us the opportunity to look back on how far we’ve come in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and to continue our collective community commitment. You can read more about The Compassion, Courage and Commitment of the Walk’s founders the late Albert Bell, Susan Jester and the late Gary Rees.
The 2014 event 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 activities will begin on Friday, Sept. 26 with an AIDS Memorial Vigil. The traditional AIDS Walk & 10K Run will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, along with a new 5K Fun Run, designed for those who prefer a shorter route. There will be several post-Walk activities on Saturday and Sunday that will include brunches and other events in and around Hillcrest, all designed to raise additional funds for AIDS Walk.
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.
For more information, or to register for AIDS Walk & Run San Diego, visit www.AIDSWalkSD.org. For further details on the weekend, you may also contact Ian Johnson, director of special events, at ijohnson@thecentersd.org or (619) 692-2077, ext. 247.
