By Naomi Rothwell
Fundraising and volunteerism reached a high this month in Atlanta’s major charity organizations. On Sunday, October fifteenth, AIDS Walk Atlanta, a five kilometer trek through Midtown, was held. Chamblee students attended as pre-registered member of team #938, inspired by National Honor Societie’s sponsorship and frequent announcements of the event. Twenty other DeKalb and Decatur High Schools also sponsored teams for the walk, which is the largest fundraiser for fighting AIDS in the southeast. More than $800,000 was amassed in pledges and donations; the funds will be used to defray expenses incurred by eleven agencies designed to help AIDS victims, educate young people, and continue research on the fatal disease.
The estimated 25,000 people who participated in the AIDS Walk was more than double the attendance at both the recently held Hunger Walk of October first and the American Heart Walk of September thirtieth. The secret of AIDS Walks’ financial and public success, explains a Walk coordinator, is that “this year we cut the costs of running substantially-20% and so many teams preregistered. Also, the weather was nice.” Another change that seemed to go over well was the shortening of the walk from ten kilometers to five (about 3.1 miles)
The waves of people who poured onto 10th street on that windy October afternoon carried banners, walkmen and many displayed red ribbons. Among the six hundred teams attending AID Atlanta sponsored project were countless church groups, 99X, Graffiti Online, and Cabbage Patch Kids.
Before the walk, US Representative Lewis chided Republican leaders for cutting Medicare, and after the walk four bands played a two hour concert. Among the bands were Shaking Babies and Grumpy Fish. There were no celebrity guests, although in previous years Elton John and Michael Stipe made appearances. “Shaking Babies had repetitive lyrics, but the walk was really heartwarming in that so many people showed up,” said Chamblee walker Adele Chase.
Only two weeks prior to the AIDS Walk, 10,000 people attending the 12th annual Hunger Walk swept into Ralph McGil Boulevard. This also successful walk raised $190,000 for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, despite a blanket of ominous dark clouds. On the Saturday prior to that, the American Heart Walk was held, and on October seventh Hands On Atlanta hosted its annual serve-a-thon.
The Atlanta AIDS Walk is a shining example of Atlanta charity at its best.