No Ordinary Walk in the Park

AIDS Walk SF is no ordinary walk in the park. It’s not every day that you’re “given the opportunity to walk with 24,999 other people who also see the importance of finding a cure” says Ironwire. While walking 10k in a sea of people, Team Congregation Beth David, organized by the Young Adults Group, stood out in their team t-shirts featuring an illustration of David vs. Goliath drawn by team walker and one of my sisters. The shirts sponsored by HarrisWest again this year, also featured the quote “You are not obligated to complete the task, but neither are you free to ignore it.” Pirkei Avot 2:21.Believe me, no one was ignoring the task at hand. To date the walk raised over 4.5 million, which is not only an AIDS Walk SF record, but is the largest single-day AIDS fundraiser ever in California. Our team helped raise over $3,000 of that total. Don’t ignore the task either; sponsor our walkers until August 10^th at 5pm.

The funds raised from the walk go to support the SF AIDS Foundation and 42 other local organizations, serving 6 Bay Area counties, providing programs, services, research and education on prevention, testing and care. According to SF AIDS Foundation and walk organizers; “in the Bay Area alone, more than 26,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS. One-quarter of those infected with HIV do not even know it.” During this years walk, the 21^st annual AIDS Walk SF, was the first to feature free HIV/AIDS testing at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park, where the walk was held.

This is team CBD’s second year participating in the walk. We’re one of 2 Jewish congregations represented. “Congratulations to ChallahBackGirl for doing an excellent job, yet again, at organizing the CBD team this year!! THANK YOU” said Heather of CBDYAG and HarrisWest. Rabbi Pressman, senior Rabbi at Congregation Beth David walked with our Young Adults as well as Fred the dog. Other Congregation Beth David members walked on the other 2 notably Jewish teams, Camp Newman/Swig and Central Region West BBYO teams with their fellow Jewish High Schoolers.

“Walking in the chilly fog was a nice contrast to last year’s sunny weather. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk. There was a really good synergy within our group of walkers.” says Israela.

Ironwire agrees, “The 2007 AIDS Walk was a great experience, just as it is every year. There are a lot of reasons why I walk. For me, having lost a relative from AIDS, the walk had a special meaning. I walk to honor my uncle.”

Oyster, who has been AIDS walking since high school, loves the AIDS Walk because it’s “A huge crowd of people, everyone’s dressed up in team uniform, or costume and it’s a lot of fun. They give you free drinks and food, and it’s really social.”

Opening ceremonies included performances and speeches from Mayor Gavin Newsom, Craig Miller, founder and producer of the walk, Jai Rodriguez (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), Kelly Carlson (Nip/Tuck), Dan Ashley, Andrea Bowen (Desperate Housewives), Cast members from Jersey Boys, Jenifer Lewis, Brent Barrett (Phantom: The Vegas Spectacular), and Andrea Marcovicci.

For those that haven’t experienced the walk, there are volunteers cheering on walkers and entertainment acts along the way to keep the spirits high and three check points with walker and other munchies, provided by the many sponsors of the event. While everyone finishes the walk there’s a post walk concert and the announcement of the total raised. The post walk concert included the musical talents of The Del Mars, Finding Mercury, and Native Elements.

While the pictures and videos are wonderful, you really can’t sum up the experience without being there.

Pictures:

• Pictures from Team CBD [YAG]
• The Official AIDS Walk Pictures Can you spot 3 team CBDers in the last photo? [hint: look to the right]
• 7/15/07: HRC SF Gala: Bill Wilson Photos of AIDS Walk San Francisco

Videos:

• Why AIDS Walk: Oyster, Israela, BigAppleSiders
• Colorful cheerleaders
• Fat Chance Belly Dance and More Fat Chance Belly Dance
• Stanford Band
• I’m a Believer performed at Checkpoint 1
• Steel Jam
• AIDS walking in the street
• A couple CBDYAGers walking
• Cal Band
• Cal Band Grand
• Gavin Newsom
• Jenifer Lewis
• Brent Barrett
• I Miss My Brother
• Total Announcement
• Andrea Bowen Interview

In the News:

• 7/23/07: Oy-Bay.org:Young Jews Return to AIDS Walk SF
• 7/17/07: San Francisco Chronicle: AIDS Walkers raise record $4.5 Million
• 7/16/07: The Daily Californian: A ‘Walk in the Park’ to End the Epidemic
• 7/16/07: San Francisco Chronicle: Quilt Commemorates Those Lost to AIDS
• 7/15/07: San Francisco Sentinel: San Francisco AIDS Walk Raises $4.5 Million
• 7/15/07: KCBS 740 AM: Thousands Walk in San Francisco to Fight AIDS
• 7/15/07: SFist: AIDS Walk San Francisco 2007
• 7/15/07:ABC 7: Over 25,000 Participate in AIDS Walk
• 7/15/07: CBS 5: S.F. AIDS Walk Generates Over $4.5 Million