Walk raises $1.1 mil. for AIDS charities

The sun peered through the clouds Sunday morning as thousands gathered in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the ninth annual AIDS Walk sponsored by the From All Walks of Life organization. Event sponsors said proceeds for the event totaled more than $1.1 million, adding that the total amount of money raised continues to climb because donations are still being accepted. Money raised from pledges and donations of participants will benefit 63 organizations that provide education and direct care for those affected by HIV or AIDS, according to Linda White, From All Walks of Life fund-raising manager. The eight-mile walk took participants on a circular route through Fairmount Park, according to AIDS Walk manager Stephanie Thaw. White explained that From All Walks of Life, a community-based organization that raises money for AIDS care, education, prevention and advocacy, had targeted a sum of $1.3 million as its goal for Sunday's event. "We raised almost $1 million last year, so we set the goal higher this year," she said, adding that between 15,000 and 25,000 participated in the event -- significantly more than last year. Despite the Walk's timing -- over Fall Break -- seven University teams and more than 20 students showed up for the event. College freshman Marianna Allen, her dog, Gilmour, and Engineering freshman Sarah Rathfon were already waiting in line to register at 10:30 a.m. "I live here in West Philly, so I've been doing this since my freshman year in high school," Allen said. She also added that she didn't have time to collect pledges, so she made a donation instead. The Wharton School of Business' MBA program also sponsored a team. Team captain and second-year Wharton graduate student Felipe Munoz said it was the first time Wharton had a student team. Though Munoz could not produce the exact number, he estimated that his team raised more than $1,000 for the AIDS Walk. College freshmen Kristen Yee and Katherine Taylor were part of the King's Court/English House team. Yee said she raised $107.40 by asking people on her floor and friends from other universities for donations. Taylor said she collected $80. Other teams from the University included the Veterans Medical Center, Bioengineering Department and Chinese Student Association. Each team had its picture taken before tackling the course. The majority of walkers completed the route in three hours. Yee and Taylor finished in two and a half. College sophomore Jody Shoup, who raised $261, said she enjoyed the event. "I thought it was great -- there were so many people," she said. "Now I have to go home and take a shower." A post-walk picnic and concert greeted walkers after their return to the museum. Coordinators of the event said they were pleased with the turnout. "We were terrified about today's turnout because of the rain [Saturday]," Thaw said. "It seems to be going smoothly." White credited the event's success to the 750 volunteers who helped run the registration, food, sales, information and team tents. The AIDS Walk is Philadelphia's largest fund-raising effort for AIDS.