There is still money coming in, but as of press time, the 2013 AIDS Walk Orlando raised $130,000 to support Hope and Help of Central Florida’s mission of HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.
1,500 walkers from 125 teams gathered in downtown Orlando for the event. Congressman Alan Grayson spoke to kick off the walk and Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer made the closing remarks.
“It was wonderful having Alan Grayson and the mayor come and speak,” said Hope and Help events manager Chris Hessler. “It really showed their support for the agency and the community.”
This year’s event also featured AIDS Walk Orlando’s first-ever afterparty, held at Parliament House. Hessler said the after party was a Hope and Help fundraiser as well, but no totals are available yet. He said the shuttle buses going from downtown to Parliament House were full and the resort’s managers are reporting they’re happy with the event.
The AIDS Walk’s fundraising is short of last year’s $209,000 raised and this year’s stated goal of $250,000. Hessler said the “biggest shortfall” was sponsors.
“A lot of our typical very big sponsors didn’t have the budget to be involved at all, and some had to cut what they could give in half,” Hessler said. “The community came out though, and as far as walkers go, that was right on point.”
He added that the walk itself wrapped up a little earlier than usual this year and that was well-received as well.
Gallery photos by Jake Stevens.
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