LAKE COUNTY — Preparations for the third annual AIDSWalk Lake County continue as the event date fast approaches. Participants, sponsors and informational/service vendors are being sought.
AIDSWalk 2010 will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at Austin Park in Clearlake. In addition to the fundraising walk, the event will include live music entertainment and guest speakers. The event also provides an opportunity for local resource providers to showcase the services they offer in Lake County. Non-profit organizations, especially those serving the health field, are highly encouraged to participate. Retail vendors are also welcome.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Community Care HIV/AIDS Program (CCHAP). CHAPP Drop-In Center Program Coordinator Ken Young said that success of this event is vital to continuing services for people living with AIDS/HIV in Lake County.
“There have been so many cutbacks in funding this year that we have to have a successful event just to keep services at the Drop-In Center going after December,” Young said.
Young said there are many ways to participate in AIDSWalk 2010. Those wishing to do the foot work and walk the flat, mile course around Austin Park can pay an entry fee or enlist sponsors. The entry fee for an AIDSWalker is only $25 for a group of four or a mere $5 donation for an individual walker.
“Right now we have a few walking teams including the Clearlake Oaks and Clearlake Methodist churches, the Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Business Association and Hospice,” Young said. “We”d really like to see more walkers join us in this cause.”
Young said that area service providers have committed to the event as well. “The Department of Public Health will be there for free HIV testing and joining us this year is the new Sutter Lakeside Mobile Health Van, which will offer free health screenings,” he said.
The event will also include live music by “Without a Net,” which is comprised of area educators and youth mentors. The band will play from 10:30 a.m. to noon. At 1 p.m. guest speakers Denise Rushing, Lake County Supervisor District 3; and HIV/AIDS Specialist Dr. Marshall Kubota will address the crowd.
Kubota has been specializing in the field since 1982. “We have incredible systems of medical care. Through hard work on the part of the clinicians, social workers, dentists and the devotion of patients, we have been able to bring under control this literally heartless virus and allow for the immune systems of persons living with HIV to be restored and health to be regained,” he said during his address at the inaugural event in 2008.
Last year Kubota”s words offered a sense of hope for those living with HIV/AIDS. He said that advances in medicine have extended the length of life for those living with the virus.
Non-profit organizations, particularly those that promote health and wellness are invited to participate. Table reservations are obtainable with a $25 donation.
“We would like to see as many resource providers as we can at this event,” Young said. “This is really their chance to show the public what they are doing to help the community.”
Area retailers who are interested in contributing goods such as water, food, drinks, snacks, lumber, signage, etc. are also being sought as are volunteers to assist with various tasks associated with conducting a successful event. Youth organizations are welcome as well.
Two corporate sponsors have signed on to this year”s event. CCHAP invites interested businesses and organizations to join Moran”s Pharmacy and the Lakeshore Lion”s Club in corporate sponsorship.
The event will also offer a raffle for prizes such as resort stays at The Sea Breeze, Lake Place, Lake Vu Cottages and others.
For more information regarding participation, sponsorship or any other details please call Ken Young at 995-1606.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
