LAKE COUNTY — AIDSWalk Lake County 2010, “The Walk of Life,” takes place Saturday at Austin Park in Clearlake. All are invited to join in this third annual fundraiser, which benefits the Community Care HIV/AIDS Program (CCHAP).
Opening remarks will be offered at 10 a.m. with the kick-off walk beginning promptly at 10:30 a.m. The walk is three-quarters of a mile long and individuals can walk for a small donation. Team donation costs $25 for a team of four.
Success of the fundraiser is vital for continuance of CCHAP programs. “For over two decades, the CCHAP Drop-In Center has been the single provider of support for people whose lives are impacted by HIV,” Drop-In Center Program Coordinator Ken Young said. “We are asking for your support so that we may continue our services and outreach for the youth and all citizens of Lake County. Celebrate community and join us for The Walk of Life.”
AIDSWalk 2010 will feature several speakers and live dancing music by Without a Net, which consists of area educators and youth mentors. There will also be a silent auction of weekend get-a-away gifts as well as raffle opportunities. CCHAP Drop-In Center will be offering affordable gourmet sandwiches by Kim Young & Crew and CCHAP participants will be selling their handcrafted arts and crafts jewelry and colorful T-shirts.
An informational vendor fair will also coincide. Health and wellness resource participants include Sutter Mobile Health, which will be offering free health screenings. Lakeside Clinic, Any Positive Change, Stonewall Democrats, Lake County Democrats, Lodi Pharmacy, Lake County PRIDE, Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Business Association, Save the Lake, the Sierra Club, Moran”s Pharmacy, Head Start and many other providers have also signed on to this year”s event.
“This will be the third year of dedicated support from the Clearlake Oaks Community Methodist Church, a church of community activists who put faith into action and have helped transform Clearlake Oaks,” Young said. “In addition to many volunteers, the church is providing the professional kitchen and folks to help prepare our yummy food for AIDSWalk. In December, this community church provides a comprehensive program for AIDS awareness, honoring those who have gone before.”
Young continued, “Joining our faith communities this year is another real community-action church, the Clearlake United Methodist Church, which will have multiple walking teams and well as a booth with information about their community programs.”
The AIDSWalk 2010 itinerary is as follow:
10 a.m. ? Opening Remarks by Dennis Fay, executive director of Community Care Management and Ken Young, Drop-In Center program coordinator
10:20 a.m. ? Organizing of first AIDSWalk by Sarah Shems, CCHAP social worker
10:30 a.m. ? Kick-off walk and music by Without a Net.
Noon ? Guest Speakers: Lake County Third District Supervisor Denise Rushing; Dr. Marshall Kubota, AIDS/HIV specialist
Clearlake Oaks Community Choir with Doug Bennett featuring gospel artist Phil McAlpin
1 p.m. ? Announcement of silent auction and raffle winners with Troy Burnett, CCHAP social worker
Walking teams that sign-up this week will be included in the program and receive a team sheet. For more information contact the CCHAP Drop-In Center at 995-1606.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
