AIDS Walk Slowly Approaching its Goal

St. Petersburg Despite the tough economy and participants' knack for procrastinating with donations, Jay Aller is optimistic that the eighth annual AIDS Walk St. Petersburg will reach its fundraising goal of $100,000.

â┚¬Å”We are definitely going to hit that goal,â┚¬Â said Aller, who is the Suncoast Hospice's staff partner with the walk this year. â┚¬Å”We've had a lot of community fundraisers and community involvement this year. St. Pete Pride has done its own things, the Flamingo has done a few fundraisers and so has Georgie's. They're all raising money to donate to their own teams, which comes to ASAP. We're well ahead of where I thought we'd be.â┚¬ÂAt press time, a digital tracker on the Walk's web site showed that just over $42,000 had been raised. Aller said that the last two weeks before the walk usually see a large push of funds and participants.

â┚¬Å”So far we're right on par with the past averages,â┚¬Â Aller said. â┚¬Å”We'll see a surge of more money and more people.â┚¬ÂAller expects somewhere between 600 and 1000 peopleâ┚¬â€which is more than what the walk has averaged in the past. Part of that draw could be related to Frenchie Davis' performance following the walk.

â┚¬Å”I think she'll bring people in just to hear her sing,â┚¬Â he said. â┚¬Å”And while they are there we're hopeful they will donate to the cause.

â┚¬ÂHaving a headliner isn't the only change in the annual walk. This year the event has been organized with a committee, headed by chairman Dale Kitt of Olympus Printing. The group effort, Aller said, seems to be paying off.

The AIDS Walk St. Petersburg is on Saturday, Sept. 10, at North Shore Park in St. Petersburg at the intersection of 12th Avenue North and North Shore Drive. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the 5K (just over three miles) walk begins at 10 a.m. Several special ceremonies will take place before the walk starts.

Paul Lloyd, who won the Talent Quest Florida singing competition in July, will sing the national anthem and Una Voce: The Florida Men's Chorale has a special presentation to go along with the tolling of the AIDS bells, which honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. The opening ceremonies will be emceed by grand marshal Chuck Henson, Bay News 9 traffic anchor.

â┚¬Å”The money we raise goes toward ASAP's many services, like the pediatric program, which serves more than 100 kids,â┚¬Â Aller said. â┚¬Å”It also helps fund the mobile testing unit that provides free HIV tests throughout Tampa Bay.

â┚¬ÂThose registering online may see that the walk is more than a one day event this year. A special VIP reception with Davis is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 9, at The Flamingo Resort. Tickets are $50 and include an open bar beginning at 7 p.m.

For more information on AIDS Walk St. Petersburg or to register or donate, visit AIDSWalkStPetersburg.com.