AIDS Walk Boston
Encyclopedia
AIDS Walk Boston is a walkathon fundraiser
hosted annually in Boston, Massachusetts
to benefit AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
(AAC), New England's
oldest and largest not-for-profit AIDS service organization.
AAC
's mission is to stop the epidemic by preventing new HIV/AIDS infections and optimizing the health of those already infected.
on the Charles River Esplanade, with the actual route following a 10K path through the cities of Boston
, Brookline
, and Cambridge.
Concurrent with the Walk is the Larry Kessler 5K Run, a 5K race along the banks of the Charles River
. Awards are given out to the winners of each age group.
Upon completion of the Walk, participants are welcomed back to the DCR Hatch Shell
with the Wellness Festival, a celebration of healthy living.
and form teams to do fundraising of their own.
Some important milestones in the history of AIDS Walk Boston:
Since the beginning of AIDS Walk Boston, over 200,000 people have participated, raising over $30 million total for the programs and services of AIDS Action Committee
.
Walkathon
A walkathon , walking marathon or sponsored walk is a type of community or school fundraiser in which participants raise money by collecting donations or pledges for walking a predetermined distance or course...
hosted annually in Boston, Massachusetts
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
to benefit AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
Founded in 1983, is a not-for-profit, community-based health organization whose mission is to stop the epidemic and related health inequities by eliminating new infections, maximizing healthier outcomes of those infected and at risk, and attacking the root causes of HIV/AIDS.Based in Boston, it is...
(AAC), New England's
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
oldest and largest not-for-profit AIDS service organization.
AAC
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
Founded in 1983, is a not-for-profit, community-based health organization whose mission is to stop the epidemic and related health inequities by eliminating new infections, maximizing healthier outcomes of those infected and at risk, and attacking the root causes of HIV/AIDS.Based in Boston, it is...
's mission is to stop the epidemic by preventing new HIV/AIDS infections and optimizing the health of those already infected.
Event
AIDS Walk Boston is always held on the first Sunday in June. It begins and ends at the DCR Hatch ShellHatch Shell
The Edward A. Hatch Memorial Shell is an outdoor concert venue adjacent to the Charles River Esplanade near downtown Boston....
on the Charles River Esplanade, with the actual route following a 10K path through the cities of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Brookline
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
, and Cambridge.
Concurrent with the Walk is the Larry Kessler 5K Run, a 5K race along the banks of the Charles River
Charles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
. Awards are given out to the winners of each age group.
Upon completion of the Walk, participants are welcomed back to the DCR Hatch Shell
Hatch Shell
The Edward A. Hatch Memorial Shell is an outdoor concert venue adjacent to the Charles River Esplanade near downtown Boston....
with the Wellness Festival, a celebration of healthy living.
Online Community
AIDS Walk Boston has an online community to connect and communicate with participants in a variety of different ways.- AIDS Walk Boston Blog
- AIDS Walk Boston Facebook Fan Page
- AIDS Walk Boston on Twitter
- AIDS Action Committee on YouTube
- AIDS Action Committee Facebook Cause
Volunteering
AIDS Walk Boston relies on the help of hundreds of volunteers. These volunteers perform a number of different duties, such as handing out snacks and refreshments, taking pictures, and directing walkers along the route, to help serve over 10,000 participants for AIDS Walk Boston and the Larry Kessler 5K Run every year.Fundraising
Fundraising is the central focus of AIDS Walk Boston. Participants are encouraged to engage in peer-to-peer fundraising, and are given many different tools to do so, including a personal fundraising page and a Facebook fundraising application. AIDS Walk Boston also works with corporate sponsors who support the programs and services of AACAIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
Founded in 1983, is a not-for-profit, community-based health organization whose mission is to stop the epidemic and related health inequities by eliminating new infections, maximizing healthier outcomes of those infected and at risk, and attacking the root causes of HIV/AIDS.Based in Boston, it is...
and form teams to do fundraising of their own.
History
AIDS Walk Boston was started in 1986 as a grassroots community event. AIDS Walk Boston 2010 will be the 25th annual Walk, and it will be held on June 6, 2010.Some important milestones in the history of AIDS Walk Boston:
- 1986 - First AIDS Walk Boston, then named "From All Walks of Life," is held on Boston CommonBoston CommonBoston Common is a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Boston Commons". Dating from 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States. The Boston Common consists of of land bounded by Tremont Street, Park Street, Beacon Street,...
. The song "That's What Friends Are ForThat's What Friends Are For"That's What Friends Are For" is a 1982 song written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager and introduced by Rod Stewart for the soundtrack of the film Night Shift.-Dionne Warwick cover:...
," popularized by Dionne WarwickDionne WarwickDionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
, becomes the Walk's signature anthem, and has been sung at every Walk since the beginning. - 1988 - The Walk grosses over $1 million: 12,000 walkers participated and raised $1.3 million.
- 1988 - "That's What Friends Are ForThat's What Friends Are For"That's What Friends Are For" is a 1982 song written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager and introduced by Rod Stewart for the soundtrack of the film Night Shift.-Dionne Warwick cover:...
" is simulcast live on over 15 radio stations across Massachusetts in honor of the Walk. - 1993 - The Walk has its biggest year ever, as 35,000 dedicated participants raised more than $3 million for AIDS ActionAIDS Action Committee of MassachusettsFounded in 1983, is a not-for-profit, community-based health organization whose mission is to stop the epidemic and related health inequities by eliminating new infections, maximizing healthier outcomes of those infected and at risk, and attacking the root causes of HIV/AIDS.Based in Boston, it is...
. - 1994 - "From All Walks of Life" is officially renamed "AIDS Walk Boston."
- 1997 - The location of AIDS Walk Boston is moved from the CommonBoston CommonBoston Common is a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Boston Commons". Dating from 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States. The Boston Common consists of of land bounded by Tremont Street, Park Street, Beacon Street,...
to the Hatch Memorial ShellHatch ShellThe Edward A. Hatch Memorial Shell is an outdoor concert venue adjacent to the Charles River Esplanade near downtown Boston....
on the Charles RiverCharles RiverThe Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
Esplanade. - 1997 - Information about the Walk is posted online for the first time.
- 2001 - A 5K Run is added to the Walk, allowing those who prefer to run an opportunity to show their support.
- 2001 - The Walk website, www.aidswalkboston.org is launced and online donations are accepted.
- 2005 - On the 20th Anniversary of the Walk, the "From All Walks of Life" brand and four faces logo are reintroduced.
- 2006 - The 5K Run is renamed The Larry Kessler 5K Run, in tribute to AIDS ActionAIDS Action Committee of MassachusettsFounded in 1983, is a not-for-profit, community-based health organization whose mission is to stop the epidemic and related health inequities by eliminating new infections, maximizing healthier outcomes of those infected and at risk, and attacking the root causes of HIV/AIDS.Based in Boston, it is...
's Founding Director, Larry KesslerLarry KesslerLarry Kessler is the Founding Director of the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, an agency that has served over half of all people diagnosed with AIDS in Massachusetts, educated generations about the disease, and secured progressive city, state, and federal AIDS policy.-Social Activism:Kessler...
. - 2009 - The Larry Kessler 5K Run sees a record number of participants with over 650 runners from 15 different states.
Since the beginning of AIDS Walk Boston, over 200,000 people have participated, raising over $30 million total for the programs and services of AIDS Action Committee
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
Founded in 1983, is a not-for-profit, community-based health organization whose mission is to stop the epidemic and related health inequities by eliminating new infections, maximizing healthier outcomes of those infected and at risk, and attacking the root causes of HIV/AIDS.Based in Boston, it is...
.