Put on your shoes! Yes, the annual AIDS Walk for Life is here again – though for some, “again” only means the time spent reading about it. That is about to change because there are reasons to volunteer this year that you have likely overlooked in the past.
First, you should volunteer because you will be helping yourself and people that you know. The walk helps to fund HIV Edmonton’s extensive public education campaign, so go ahead and be greedy - do it for yourself and the people you care about.
Secondly, you should volunteer for the Walk of Life because you like sex. Prior to the Walk, you can use the pick-up line of “Would you like to sponsor me?” on strangers. Just make sure you actually have your sponsor sheet handy when you ask. After the walk you will have that nice sheen of sweat, and who knows who you might meet. You won’t have to look very far for extra condoms.
Some of you have volunteered before, quite possibly for the reasons above; but Ted Kerr, Volunteer Coordinator of HIV Edmonton, thinks there are other reasons the public lends a helping hand: “[They’re] giving back to the community… using [their] skills and talents to make the world a better place,” he explains. Kerr points out that Walk for Life is “a great way to put a local face on a world-wide issue”, stressing the regional aspect of the work his organization performs.
Or it could also be that you’ve volunteered because you know how vital this fundraiser is for HIV Edmonton to function. It is “very important, because the Walk is the largest fundraiser in which the public is involved,” says Leah Portelance, interim Operations Coordinator of HIV Edmonton. Imagine, “very important…largest fundraiser…public…involved” on your résumé or next bursary application!
The donations contributed to HIV Edmonton help finance their operations, which include taking care of people living with HIV, fostering HIV prejudice-free environments in the social services sector, and distributing free condoms among many other things.
Once you’ve decided to volunteer, you’ll be glad to know you have many options available. Getting sponsors and walking in the event is the most common form of participation, but HIV Edmonton can accommodate your schedule by having you volunteer the days before, after, or during the Walk.
The 16th annual Walk for Life will be held on September 23rd, 2007 starting at Edmonton’s City Hall. Everyone is also invited to an unofficial after-party on Friday, September 28th, at the recently opened Starbucks in the new Matrix Hotel, where donations will be accepted for products for three hours before regular business hours begin.
Sponsor sheets are available online at www.hivedmonton.com and for more information please call 780-488-5742, ext. 222 or email directly to admin@hivedmonton.com.
AIDS Calgary presents
AIDS Walk for Life 2007
www.calgaryaidswalk.com
HIV Edmonton’s Walk for Life
Sunday September 23rd, 2007
Starting at Edmonton City Hall
(780) 488-5742 ext. 222
admin@hivedmonton
www.hivedmonton
