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When is the event? What time does it start?
The event will take place on Sunday, October 5, 2008. We will walk regardless of weather-rain or shine, hot or cool!
Event Schedule
7:00 am Pre-Walk activities and day-of-event registration
8:15 am Walkers move to start line
8:30 am Opening ceremonies
8:45 am The Walk begins!
Where does the Walk start? [ Click for General Map ] [ Click for Route Map ]
The Walk will start at 200 West Washington Street, Phoenix (Phoenix City Hall/César Chavez Memorial Plaza). The route will head west on Washington to Wesley Bolin Memorial Park, and then turn back, heading east on Jefferson to the finish at 3rd Avenue.
How long is the Walk?
AIDS Walk 2008 is a 5-K event (about three miles) and should take a typical walker about an hour to complete. Paws for the Cause participants may choose to walk the Waggin' Trail -- a shorter, 1-mile course. Those who do not wish to walk the entire event may take this route as well.
What if I (or my pet) get tired along the way?
There will be shaded rest stops along the route, with water for both participants and pets. We can also provide a ride back to the finish line if you get too tired.
Can I wear rollerblades, ride a skateboard or scooter, run the event, etc?
No. AIDS Walk 2008 is a walking event only. However, strollers, wheelchairs, and pull wagons are welcome.
What if I need special accommodations to participate?
Please call 480 290-7222 at least 48 hours before the Walk. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Where do I park for the event?
All on-street metered parking in downtown Phoenix is free on Sundays. Many parking garages will also provide paid parking the day of the event.
How do my I register the day of the event? How do I turn in checks or cash sponsors have given me?
There will be a large registration area to quickly process day-of-registrations be cash, check or credit card. You may also turn in any additional funds you have collected. Remember, the more you raise, the more prizes you earn!
How do I turn in money given to me after the Walk?
Please return your remaining funds via check to: Aunt Rita's Foundation, PO Box 3946, Phoenix, AZ 85030. Do not send cash. You may also call 480 290-7222 to arrange to drop off funds in person. Remember, you can turn in additional funds until 5:00 pm Friday, October 10, 2008 to qualify for prizes!
What does it cost to register?
Adults: $25, which includes an official AIDS Walk 2008 T-shirt.
Children 12 to 4 years: $12, which includes a fun monkey-head foam hat.
Children under four are free, unless they would like to receive the souvenir hat. All children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Friendly, good natured dogs can take part in Paws for the Cause for $10 and receive a commemorative bandana and a bag of treats. Dogs taking part in the event must be registered, and each walker can register up to two dogs. Assistance dogs are not charged to participate, but must be registered by phone-please call 480 290-7222 for more info.
AIDS Walk 2008 T-Shirt Pick-up Starts Monday, September 29th!
Participants of AIDS Walk 2008 can pick up their souvenir T-shirts, Celebration shirts and foam hats for kids starting on Monday, September 29th through Friday, October 4th at:
Runner's Den
6505 North 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602 277-4333
Materials can be picked up between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm each day. Just provide the names of the participants you are picking materials up for - you'll be in and out in a flash! Team Captains should email teams@aidswalk2008.com one day in advance of your planned pickup - we'll get everything boxed and waiting for you! Pet bandanas will be distributed on the morning of the event at the Paws for the Cause Tent.
Participants who do not pick up their materials at Runner's Den may obtain them at the Walk beginning at 7:00 am at the Merchandise tent.
Can I raise additional funds?
Absolutely! We encourage everyone to ask friends, family and co-workers to donate. Once you register online, you can send emails to everyone to donate to your Walk effort. There will be great prizes for people who raise additional funds-to find out more, check www.aidswalk2008.org closer to the event date, or to register for Walk email updates. If you receive cash or check donations, bring these with you to the event and turn them in before we start. You may pick up any prizes you have won at the finish line.
Win great prizes for raising funds!
Need a little motivation to raise funds? AIDS Walk 2008 is excited to announce great prizes for Walk participants who reach high-dollar fundraising levels! Winning prizes is easy - Just ask your friends, family and co-workers to sponsor you by visiting www.aidswalk2008.org and donating any amount in your name. Send out an email, have a collection jar on your desk, hold a donation dinner in your home-you'll raise funds and win prizes in no time!
GRAND PRIZE: Molina watch (choice of men's or women's) + all general prizes
SECOND PRIZE: iPod Touch + all general prizes
THIRD PRIZE: Kodak 7MP digital camera + all general prizes
GENERAL PRIZES:
$1500: iPod Shuffle + lower prizes $500: Backpack + lower prize
$150: AIDS awareness bracelet
Can my friends, family or office walk as a Team?
Absolutely! Simply designate someone as you team captain, have them register online at www.aidswalk2008.org, and create a name for your team. Then, everyone on your team can join the team when they register.
What is the Celebration Walk?
This part of AIDS Walk 2008 is a special way to remember someone you've lost to HIV, celebrate the number of years you've been living with disease, or share messages of love and support. If you register for this part of the Walk, you'll receive a unique Walk T-shirt with a blank back to decorate or write your messages on. Wear it with honor the day of the event.
What is Paws for the Cause?
Paws for the Cause is a great way to let your dogs make an important contribution to AIDS Walk 2008. For only $10, friendly, good-natured dogs can register to walk and raise funds-friends and family can donate to Paws participants! Our furry friends are some of our greatest fundraisers.
Where does the money raised by the Walk go?
Funds raised by AIDS Walk 2008 support 16 agencies providing health care and social services to people infected with and affected by HIV. Funds raised by the Walk will be distributed evenly to each agency.
The 2008 benefiting agencies are:
Agape Network
AIDS Network of Arizona
Bill Holt Clinic at Phoenix Children's Hospital
Chicanos por la Causa
Compassion in Action
Concilio Latino de Salud
Ebony House
HIV/AIDS Law Project
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HIV Care Directions
Joshua Tree Feeding Program, Inc.
Native American Community Health Center
Phoenix Shanti Group
Project Hard Hat
Southwest Behavioral Health
Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS
TERROS, Inc.
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About Aunt Rita's Foundation
Aunt Rita's Foundation, an all-volunteer non-profit organization founded in 1989, is committed to raising funds to assist local AIDS service organizations in provide services and support to people infected with, and affected by HIV in metropolitan Phoenix. Aunt Rita's Foundation is the only organization that provides coordinated, community-wide fundraising for HIV services. Monies raised provide direct services to people living with the disease and their families, and also fund HIV education and awareness initiatives throughout the community, with special focus on age-appropriate HIV education for children and education/awareness programs targeting communities of color.
Why Assistance is Needed in Our Community
Federal government funding, the primary source of support for disadvantaged individuals living with HIV, is remaining relatively level, while new HIV infections are increasing. Second, both individual and corporate support for HIV service organizations is not as strong as it once was. Finally, the total number of people living with HIV/AIDS is significantly on the rise, both because those infected are living longer lives and because of a rise in new infections.
The cause for alarm now is not that HIV positive individuals don't have medication/treatment options. It's because there are increasing numbers of disadvantaged people living with HIV who have to be served with dwindling resources. Ultimately, our community is left with a hard decision: Who do we exclude from care? Do we create waiting lists for services, or change eligibility guidelines to serve fewer people? We must rally the local and national community to a new wave of advocacy before a second HIV/AIDS crisis overwhelms us.
Why an AIDS Walk?
The AIDS Walk began in Phoenix in 1987, and quickly grew to become a community-wide event that at its peak raised nearly $1 million dollars. Sadly, the agency that hosted the event closed its doors in 2003. In 2007, a group of passionate individuals approached Aunt Rita's Foundation, asking to revive the event.
The AIDS Walk may have disappeared from Phoenix - but HIV/AIDS has not. Infection rates have begun to rise, and our communities of color, especially the African American community, have experienced alarming increases in the number of people testing positive for HIV. More people need care than ever before, but federal and private funding for medical care and supportive services continues to decline. And the lack of HIV education and awareness throughout our community will only make the number of new HIV cases increase. Now, more than ever, our community needs the AIDS Walk to return to Phoenix on Sunday, October 5, 2008.
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