Sunday’s 22nd annual LifeWalk set a record for the amount raised on the day of the event, which was more than $415,000.
Fundraising amounts for the whole year are still being calculated and will be announced Nov. 7 along with the top teams at the wrap-up party.
Marvin Green, event co-chair, told Instant Tea that the turnout was more than 3,000 people, but he thought participation on Sunday down because of the cold weather.
“We want to send a huge Thank You! for the tremendous dedication and generosity shown by our sponsors and Teams this year,” Green said in a statement.
Fellow Co-Chair Kelly Green said, “Wow. We are so grateful to our volunteers, walkers and community for helping us raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and the help that is available to people in need.”
See below for the full statement. For more photos from LifeWalk, go here.
Record raised for North Texas AIDS Service Organizations
22nd Annual AIDS LifeWalk a Great Success at Lee Park!
DALLAS, TEXAS, Tuesday, October 9, 2012 — Cloudy skies and cooler temperatures did not hinder an enthusiastic crowd of 3,000+ from attending the 22nd annual AIDS Arms LifeWalk Walk/Run Festival at Lee Park on October 7. LifeWalk was the culmination of nearly 100 events over eight months of fundraising and recruitment by 120 teams. Ron Corning of WFAA was Master of Ceremonies and the event was hosted by LifeWalk Co-Chairs, Marvin Green and Kelly Green. Executive Director, Raeline Nobles, said, “What a wonderful day it was! To see such diversity from the community come out to support HIV awareness and services we and our ten partner agencies provide is really overwhelming.”
LifeWalk 2012 has raised over $415,000 for HIV services to date. Funds are still coming in from Walking Teams. The final funds raised will be announced on November 7 at the Wrap-up Party. $415,000 is our best fundraising record the day of the event and we still have many more dollars coming in!” states Tori Hobbs, AIDS Arms’ Director of Resource Development.
All funds raised by LifeWalk are used to support programs in HIV-specific prevention, care and support for AIDS Arms and its ten partner organizations in Dallas.
“We want to send a huge Thank You! for the tremendous dedication and generosity shown by our sponsors and Teams this year,” stated LifeWalk Co-Chair, Marvin Green. Fellow Co-Chair Kelly Green reported, “Wow. We are so grateful to our volunteers, walkers and community for helping us raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and the help that is available to people in need.”
Partner organizations joining AIDS Arms’ in LifeWalk 2012 are AIDS Interfaith Network, AIDS Services of Dallas, Bryan’s House, Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund, Happy Nia Dance Company, Legal Hospice of Texas, Resource Center Dallas, Turtle Creek Chorale, The Women’s Chorus of Dallas and Youth First Texas.
This year’s event doubled the number of participating vendors and organizations. Free HIV testing was available as well. Over 225 volunteers, including groups from Bank of America, Hotels.com and youth groups W.T.White High School Key Club and LULAC Young Adult Chapter helped the event run smoothly. Special guests included Miss LifeWalk 2012, Heather Thomas, in crystal studded walking shoes, the GEICO Gecko and performances by Happy Nia Dance Theater and The Women’s Chorus of Dallas. Ron Corning of WFAA was emcee for the event, bringing everything together for a grand day in celebration and support of people living with HIV and AIDS.
One highlight was the crowning of LifeWalk’s Top Dog 2012, “Zoe” of parents JD Smith and Brian Patton who raised over $1,200.
The 2012 AIDS Arms LifeWalk Steering Committee sends a special thank you to the top sponsors: Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, VHA, Avita Drugs – Your Personalized Pharmacy, Hilton Anatole, HMS, WFAA, The Dallas Voice, Gay List Daily and Caven Enterprises. Sponsors contributed over $100,000 in cash and $440,000 of in-kind support – to offset expenses so more funds could go to client services.
