AIDS Run & Walk Chicago Raises $200,000+
Thu. September 22, 2005 12:00 AM
Chicago, IL -
Pleasant skies greeted more than 5,000 participants at this year's AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, held on Saturday, September 17, in Grant Park. Although pledges are still being tabulated, the event is shaping up to be one of the most successful since event beneficiary AIDS Foundation of Chicago teamed up with Chicago Special Events Management in 2001 to create a new event model to replace the defunct AIDS Walk.
This year's event conservatively netted $200,000. Since 2001, the event has raised more than $600,000.
In addition, 10 percent of the event's net proceeds are being donated to the National AIDS Emergency Fund, which is working with community-based organizations to provide essential services to HIV-positive evacuees in the Hurricane Katrina-impacted Gulf Coast region.
Contributing to the Run & Walk's success were more teams--155 in 2005, up from 123 in 2004--including those formed by AIDS service organizations, individuals, schools, churches and corporations. There was even a team of more than 400 students from DePaul University.
Co-hosts of the event were TV and stage star Leslie Jordan (best known for his recurring role on Will & Grace) and local TV & radio personality Dean Richards, a long-time supporter of Chicago's AIDS community. Entertaining participants in pre- and post-event performances were DropMore Scarlet, DJ Casper and the cheerleaders of Chicago's Spirit Brigade. The event also included a Health Expo, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Public Health, that featured 20 area HIV/AIDS service organizations.
In 2004, AFC--the largest source of HIV/AIDS philanthropic support in the Midwest--gave away more than $1.5 million to community agencies, the largest amount ever awarded in the agency’s history. Since 1988, AFC has provided more than $15 million to area HIV/AIDS agencies. Winners of post-event awards were:
• Best Individual Times: Richard Cunningham, Chicago, overall 5K run male winner, and Snover Punia, Chicago, overall 5K run female winner.
• Most Spirited Team: Team CNA Insurance (corporate category) and Team Loyola University (non-corporate honoree).
• Largest Team: Gap Inc. (corporate) and Loyola University (non-corporate).
• Fastest Team: Ernst & Young (corporate) and Loyola University Undergrad Runners (non-corporate).
PhotoAmy Wooten/courtesy WindyCityMediaGroup.com
This year's event conservatively netted $200,000. Since 2001, the event has raised more than $600,000.
In addition, 10 percent of the event's net proceeds are being donated to the National AIDS Emergency Fund, which is working with community-based organizations to provide essential services to HIV-positive evacuees in the Hurricane Katrina-impacted Gulf Coast region.
Contributing to the Run & Walk's success were more teams--155 in 2005, up from 123 in 2004--including those formed by AIDS service organizations, individuals, schools, churches and corporations. There was even a team of more than 400 students from DePaul University.
Co-hosts of the event were TV and stage star Leslie Jordan (best known for his recurring role on Will & Grace) and local TV & radio personality Dean Richards, a long-time supporter of Chicago's AIDS community. Entertaining participants in pre- and post-event performances were DropMore Scarlet, DJ Casper and the cheerleaders of Chicago's Spirit Brigade. The event also included a Health Expo, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Public Health, that featured 20 area HIV/AIDS service organizations.
In 2004, AFC--the largest source of HIV/AIDS philanthropic support in the Midwest--gave away more than $1.5 million to community agencies, the largest amount ever awarded in the agency’s history. Since 1988, AFC has provided more than $15 million to area HIV/AIDS agencies. Winners of post-event awards were:
• Best Individual Times: Richard Cunningham, Chicago, overall 5K run male winner, and Snover Punia, Chicago, overall 5K run female winner.
• Most Spirited Team: Team CNA Insurance (corporate category) and Team Loyola University (non-corporate honoree).
• Largest Team: Gap Inc. (corporate) and Loyola University (non-corporate).
• Fastest Team: Ernst & Young (corporate) and Loyola University Undergrad Runners (non-corporate).
PhotoAmy Wooten/courtesy WindyCityMediaGroup.com