With fewer than 10 days before the seventh St. Pete AIDS Walk, coordinator Anthony Barros is somewhat concerned about this year’s fundraising efforts. As of press time, the walk had raised just over $21,000—far less than the $100,000 goal set by the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas.
“Only time will tell,” a somewhat optimistic Barros said. “People are signing up and seem to be excited and our corporate sponsors are really helping us to get the word out. But I think getting rained out last year really changed the momentum and we’re fighting an uphill battle.”
In 2009, a massive thunderstorm brought in a deluge of rain, which actually flooded North Shore Park and canceled the fundraiser. Still, however, more than $80,000 was donated last year.
“The community has always supported us and it was phenomenal to see the pouring of support for an event that couldn’t even take place,” Barros said. “Now it’s rebuilding and letting people know we’re still here.”
The Seventh Annual AIDS Walk St. Petersburg is on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 8 a.m. at North Shore Park. Money raised will benefit ASAP’s medical co-pay assistance program, its food and personal needs pantries and to fund monthly client dinners. ASAP services both sides of Tampa Bay, but its case management program is grant-specific to Pinellas County.
“Our cause remains the same and now more than ever we need assistance from the community,” Barros said. “With the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) having cut backs and nationally having more than 2,000 people on a waiting list, we need fundraising to help with those co-pays.”
AIDS Walk St. Pete coincides with the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, and that is not lost on organizers. Barros said that a special tolling of the AIDS Memorial Bells will pay tribute to that anniversary and every walker will receive an American Flag and a 9-11 commemorative pin to wear during the walk.
Special entertainment is scheduled for the day including a special performance by Talent Quest Sunshine State women’s pop winner Nathalie Hostin, who will perform the National Anthem, and the Double M Band is slated to walk from the stage.
The 5K Park begins and ends at North Shore Park at the intersection of 12th Ave. N. and North Shore Drive in downtown St. Petersburg. Walkers and teams can register online at AIDSWalkStPetersburg.org or at the registration tables at 8 a.m. the day of the walk.
“The walk serves two purposes,” Barros said. “It raises money and it raises awareness. We have a lot of youth involved this year and that’s directly thanks to our outreach programs. The LGBT community has always been at the forefront of this fight and we are forever grateful for that.”
