Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The Bay Area Reporter - July 23, 1999
Cynthia Laird
"This year's AIDS Walk achieved a record for amount raised," said Craig Miller, producer of the 10K fundraising walk-a-thon, "proving the Bay Area's continuing resolve in bringing an end to the epidemic and providing critical programs and services for people with HIV/AIDS."
Gustavo Su rez, SFAF communications director, told the Bay Area Reporter that it's possible the grant process may be reviewed once all of the checks are tallied and deposited in about 10 days. Last year's AIDS Walk also did better than expected and an additional $90,000 was distributed to benefiting organizations after the funds were deposited.
This year, grants to community organizations were mostly selected by the Horizons Foundation, and totaled $895,000 before the event took place. SFAF will keep the bulk of the money raised last Sunday.
Individuals and members of 900 corporate and community group teams collected more than 300,000 pledges from family, friends, and co-workers for this year's walk, which was again produced by Los Angeles-based Miller Zeichik and Associates (MZA) for a $95,000 fee. MZA also produces other AIDS Walk events across the country.
The AIDS Walk featured a powerful opening ceremony with performances by the cast of the hit musical Rent, as well as speeches by foundation leaders. "Your actions remind the nation that the epidemic is far from over," Paul Wisotzky, SFAF board president, told the crowd. "Your actions make sure that lifesaving and cutting-edge programs and services such as needle exchange continue throughout the Bay Area. Needle exchange has proven to be the most valuable HIV prevention program in the country. It has been instrumental in dramatically reducing the incidence of pediatric AIDS. And it has linked individuals at greatest risk for HIV infection with medical care, drug treatment, and other vital services."
Cumulatively over the past 13 years, more than 214,000 people have participated in AIDS Walk San Francisco, raising more than $32.7 million for HIV/AIDS services in the Bay Area.
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