There were probably as many different reasons to take part in Sunday’s San Francisco AIDS Walk as there were walkers – about 25,000.
For me, it’s something I’ve done off-and-on since 1999 and the reason is pretty simple. I care – and I want to do something to help solve the problem instead of not doing anything about it.
I have to admit that I’m proud of myself for raising money for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and it’s awesome to work for a company that matches the donations, making even more of an impact.
The AIDS Foundation distributes funding to San Francisco Bay Area groups that provide services to fight HIV/AIDS. Those services include free HIV screenings, needle exchanges and health care to those living with HIV and AIDS. Without this event, many nonprofits would struggle to provide this vital help.
As hard as it is to believe, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation says it sees one to two new infections locally every day. That means the fight must continue. There’s work to be done – and money needed to pay for that work.
Sunday’s walk raised some $2.5 million. The 160-plus walkers from Levi Strauss & Co. — some pictured below — have, so far, raised about $20,000, and we’ll continue to collect money from our supporters through mid-August.
It was great to see my LS&Co. colleagues – including Levi’s® Brand President James “JC” Curleigh and his family – braving the chilly, windy weather for the walk.
And I was particularly happy that my 11-year-old nephew took part. (That’s him in the picture above, with my sister, on the right, and me.) In a way, I walked not only with him, but also for him. Some experts say an AIDS-free generation is in sight. That means a brighter future for him and his peers. And that’s really what we’re walking toward.
By the way, there’s still time to donate. Click here!
