The Hope and Help Center is gearing up for its 17th annual AIDS Walk Orlando and there are a few changes from previous years.
According to events manager Linda Santiago, rather than walking around Lake Eola, walkers will take a 2.4 mile walk through downtown.
â┚¬Å”We outgrew Lake Eola with the number of walkers we have,â┚¬Â Santiago said. â┚¬Å”It just makes sense and we also want to gain more exposure.â┚¬ÂÂ
The event isn't abandoning Lake Eola entirely, thoughâ┚¬â€Âthe event will wrap up with a concert by Sisaundra Lewis at the lake's amphitheatre.
The event is Hope and Help's second-largest annual fundraiser, following the Headdress Ball. Last year's event raised $165,000.
â┚¬Å”Ninety cents of every dollar raised goes back to client services,â┚¬Â Santiago said.
AIDS Walk Orlando will also have a slight schedule shift this yearâ┚¬â€Âregistration will begin at 7:45 a.m., fifteen minutes earlier than last year, and the walk itself will begin at 8:30 a.m., a half hour earlier than last year.
Santiago said walkers can expedite their start by turning in funds raised at the Hope and Help office, which will be open from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. the week of May 14.
â┚¬Å”We're open so everyone doesn't have to stand in the registration line [the day of the event],â┚¬Â she said. â┚¬Å”If you get [donations] in ahead of time, you can get there, start walking and then enjoy the concert.â┚¬ÂÂ
It's not too late for teams to register at AIDSWalkOrlando.org.
