You’re Almost There!
We’re nearing the finish line…at least the one before the 2010 AIDS Walk begins. There’s time for one more push for pledges before Walk day. Thank you to everyone that has been working so hard to support the Minnesota AIDS Project and the work we do here in our community.
As you get ready for the Walk on Sunday, please keep up your fundraising efforts because every dollar helps in supporting programming to stop HIV from impacting more lives. It also looks like it will be a great race to the finish for a lot of our wonderful teams this year. The top team title is up for grabs but there are also a number of teams just outside the top 10 that could jump onto that leaderboard with a big closing weekend!! Keep it up everyone and your team might wind up with a Red Ribbon Award (above left) for your great work. The Awards are presented to the top ten teams based on the total funds raised as of June 15, 2010. This allows for the entry of all donations made at the park on Walk day, any pledges received after the Walk from your donors, along with employer matches. The winners will be made official at that time so keep up the good work.
And, as you make those final calls and send those final emails or Facebook requests to your contacts, be sure to invite others to join you at Minnehaha Park on Sunday. We know people are busy and maybe everyone didn’t have the time to do a long pledge push this year, but we still want to see them on Sunday. They can come to the Park and register that morning, hear more about HIV, and make a donation of whatever they can. The AIDS Walk is about community and we hope you bring family, friends, and coworkers with you to raise awareness about this essential issue and enjoy the day.
This year there will also be some post-Walk fun at the Park in the form of games like volleyball, kickball, or bocce ball. You can bust a move at the Midwest's largest Tea Dance. Grab a drink from the wine and beer tent while sampling an expanded express menu from Sea Salt Eatery. This afternoon is made possible in-part by: Shades of Yellow (SOY), Lake Calhoun Boys, Relationship Quest, Spirit of the Lakes/Minnehaha, Y-wallyballers, DJ Robbie Lee, and many phenomenal volunteers from the Minnesota AIDS Project.
We’ll see you on Sunday morning!
Top 10 Reasons Why You Can Keep Fundraising
- We’re having the best spring on record: come see all the flowering trees along the river.
- Your family and friends would definitely prefer to give money to you than to a politician.
- This is the most fun way to get a jumpstart on dropping those five pounds while strolling with your friends.
- Watch next year’s HIV infection rates in our state drop and take credit for that by helping the Minnesota AIDS Project’s HIV prevention education programs.
- Wear your cutest outfit ever because you won’t get wet at Minnehaha Falls.
- Help families stay together: MAP’s Legal Services Program assists family members overseas who are affected by HIV/AIDS by reuniting them with their relatives in Minnesota.
- The Lake Calhoun Boys—last year’s top fundraising team—say “bring it on!”
- You already have your own Top 10 List for doing the 2010 AIDS Walk that’s even better than this one.
- Help people living with HIV/AIDS access transportation to their doctor’s appointments or secure housing for themselves and their families.
- Because all of us together can stop HIV in Minnesota – forever.
The Minnesota AIDS Walk Experience
What does it mean to be part of the Minnesota AIDS Walk? Why do people even get involved in the first place, and what is it that keeps so many coming back? A few informal interviews with some of our volunteer Walk captains revealed some interesting and inspiring answers:
Under the huge umbrella of fear and misinformation in the 1980’s, people started walking because of losses – a brother, a father, a mother, or an aunt/uncle might pass away from this disease, leaving their loved ones walking in remembrance. Although people are not getting sick and dying in such high numbers today, the reasons for supporting the Walk are pretty much the same. When asked why they first got involved, many captains mentioned close family and friends who had been diagnosed with this disease and even passed away from it. In all those cases the underlying reason was “I became determined to make a difference when he was diagnosed,” or “Even though they had passed I knew they could still make a difference through me.” A personal connection to this disease is often what gets people started, but it’s certainly not a requirement.
What people seem to love most about the AIDS Walk is the interaction and camaraderie of thousands of friends, family, and even strangers passionate about one greater cause. One of the captains, however, referenced a particular event that occurred while sharing stories with other Walkers – a young boy’s honesty, innocence, and passion humbled her and reminded her that for many of the participants, the issue of HIV is as personal as a father, mother, sibling, or friend. When the young boy and his aunt stopped at the Junior Walker’s tent, the aunt revealed she had been walking for 10 years in memory of her brother. With a smile from ear to ear the boy proudly proclaimed, “That’s my dad! He would have been really happy that we are here today.” To that proud son, HIV will always be about a person who was real and loved.
Having Serious Fun
HIV is a serious issue, no debating that fact with over six thousand Minnesotans living with the disease right now. However, when it comes to the Minnesota AIDS Walk, it’s not all work and no play. This year, the AIDS Walk features some outstanding hosts and great bands.
Attendees will hear from emcees Robyne Robinson and Jason Matheson of Fox 9 to kick off the Walk in style. They’ll also be treated to performances from local sensations Concentual and Far From Falling. The performances in the park will be just the beginning of a great day filled with community spirit and hope as we join together in the fight against HIV.
Come out early to the Walk or stay after to enjoy the day with our sponsors and supporters. It’s a day of both hope and remembrance. As you ask friends, co-workers, classmates and family for pledges of support for your AIDS Walk journey, be sure to ask them to come out and celebrate the day with you and enjoy a day of rockin’ entertainment to make a difference here in our community.
Picking Up Speed
The 2010 Minnesota AIDS Walk is picking up speed. Following a great early launch in conjunction with World AIDS Day, we’ve hit spring and the excitement is building. If you walk down Hennepin Avenue you’ll notice AIDS Walk banners. The AIDS Walk was recently featured on the cover of Lavender Magazine. In the article, it profiles just one of the many stories behind the AIDS Walk and why it is so important to our community. The story is a great reminder of the real impact of HIV, not only for those living with it but for family and friends impacted by this disease. It’s time to get ready!
As the Walk draws near, (only about two months until the big day) registration and fundraising are critical to meeting the goal of over $500,000 to help stop HIV in Minnesota.
If you’re already signed-up, be sure to reach out to your family, friends, and other networks to let everyone know that you’re taking on this great challenge (and having a little fun along the way) to help Minnesotans from all over the state stop HIV. Let’s get the momentum going!
If you’re not registered, please do so. Get signed up for free and begin fundraising to earn great prizes while helping out an important cause.
Running 4 for the Ribbon
The 2010 Run for the Ribbon is by far the best community running event on offer this year. While there are many excellent charity races to choose from, the Run for the Ribbon is desirable (and rare) for its 4-mile distance, it is the only one connected to HIV/AIDS, and you raise whatever funds you can. Just ask Ryan Splawski, one of the models for the 2010 Minnesota AIDS Walk campaign, an avid runner and three-time marathon finisher. Ryan has no time for standing still and invites runners of all abilities to join his team. “HIV prevention, education and services are under-funded, and the rising rates of infection in Minnesota mean that people haven’t been paying close enough attention to HIV in their own lives,” says Ryan. “I’m excited about the Run for the Ribbon because it brings together lots of people with fun energy to support a really great cause.”
In 2008, the Minnesota AIDS Project expanded on the traditional AIDS Walk and involved new people by hosting a festive 10K “fun run” in conjunction with the Walk. Last year we offered an officially timed race, and this year we encourage all runners to set a new personal best with our 4-mile course along the scenic tree-lined bluffs of the Mississippi River. This length is ideal for beginners as well as for seasoned distance runners and triathletes gearing up for the summer season. Fundraising for the Run isn’t mandatory, but as Ryan points out, “the Minnesota AIDS Project educates our community about HIV prevention and provides vital services to those living with HIV. AIDS stigma still exists. Far too many people accept a distant ‘face’ of the AIDS pandemic: Magic Johnson, Ryan White, Africa, or a gay stereotype. But in reality, this ‘face’ is your neighbor, your friend, your family member or even yourself.”
Registering for the 2010 Run for the Ribbon is easy. Just visit our Run page. Now grab your running shoes and jump on the treadmill. Set your pace and Run 4 for the Ribbon.
Evolving Needs, Evolving Effort
Guess who sports a notable new look? The Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP), of course. On December 1, 2009, the organization revealed its new logo at the World AIDS Day event at the Mall of America. Amid the holiday glitter of tinsel and ornaments, the logo's clean, bold design was quite striking indeed. The logo and new brand look are already being phased into MAP's work and serves as the foundation for a full re–design of its Web site this year.
The previous logo was designed in 1994 by Bruce Rubin and Jim Cordaro, and familiar to many by its inclusion of a heart and the river of life which were two important symbols for the HIV/AIDS community. MAP’s Executive Director, Lorraine Teel, explains "while the heart and river logo served MAP extremely well for so many years, it was time to have an updated look that matches the updated work here at MAP." The new logo features a strong typeface, sleek edges, and bright hues of red, connecting to the color associations of global AIDS awareness. You can also detect two shades of red to enliven the lettering and suggest forward movement, much like the constant motion and evolution of MAP itself.
MAP is very thankful to the kind team at Knock, Inc., for their creative contributions. Knock was an outstanding partner in every aspect of the design process and the Minnesota AIDS Project appreciates the generous donation of their work.
All logos reflect their own historical moment and acquire layers of significance over the years. At MAP we ring in 2010 with a new logo and our gratitude to all who plan to support this year's AIDS Walk and Run for the Ribbon at a time when our community must also evolve to meet the challenge of rising HIV numbers here at home.
Compassion, Care, and Connections: The MAP AIDSLine
What began over 25 years ago as a small call center in a private apartment has since expanded to include statewide toll free telephone access, email, and free online chat. The AIDSLine responds to over 400 inquiries a month, not only from Minnesotans but occasionally from people in other states or even other countries, and thus provides an invaluable public health service.
Callers can access first-rate information about HIV prevention—especially safe vs. risky behaviors—medical treatments, how to connect with other AIDS service providers, and where to find social and emotional support. One of the AIDSLine’s greatest strengths is its ability to deliver complex information about sensitive issues in non-judgmental, common sense language. If a caller with limited English experience needs help, a translation service is available. Because callers ask such a wide range of questions about HIV, the AIDSLine easily defies the common perception of a “hotline” that just recites the phone numbers of other organizations. The AIDSLine team also shares their expertise in more personal ways by staffing HIV information tables at assorted locations around town and running a Speakers Bureau that offers “HIV 101” presentations to community groups. Each month, about ten of these events are held and over 240 face-to-face contacts are made.
The AIDSLine often assists people struggling to care for a family member with HIV. A recent caller whose father-in-law suffers from AIDS Dementia Complex and lives in another state needed help with the daunting task of helping him move to rural Minnesota. The AIDSLine helped this caller make important connections with case management, medical care, and housing. Another family called seeking advice about their intention to adopt a HIV-positive child from overseas. The AIDSLine explained the various medical and social resources available to the potential parents, including a referral to the Legal Services program within the Minnesota AIDS Project.
The wealth of knowledge that the AIDSLine provides is unmatched. The AIDSLine could not offer this level of service without the continued support of our donors. We thank you for your support as we deepen and share our life-saving knowledge of HIV with those who need it most.