Two AIDS Service Organizations Joining Forces for Events
AIDS Project Rhode Island and AIDS Care Ocean State have announced that the organizations will be collaborating on two major fundraising events taking place in late summer.
On Sunday, August 23, the organizations are unveiling the “High Heel Dash Race & Block Party,” in downtown Providence. On Sunday, September 13, the annual AIDS Walk RI will take place, with AIDS Care Ocean State as a full partner in the project with AIDS Project Rhode Island, which has been running the walk for decades.
“We’ll be pooling our resources to make these events great successes,” said AIDS Project Rhode Island executive director Stephen Hourahan. “These are fundraisers and they are designed to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS. As reported by the Rhode Island Health Department, newly identified cases of HIV rose nearly 33% between 2013 and 2014. People need to get tested to stop the spread of HIV and begin treatment early in the infection.”
“The High Heel Dash complements AIDS Walk RI because it will be a platform to not only raise money, but to get people to sign up for the walk,” said AIDS Care Ocean State executive director Paul Fitzgerald. “We’re hoping to increase the participation of young people in HIV/AIDS events because there seems to be less awareness of HIV and AIDS among those who were not around when the epidemic began in the United States in the 1980s.”
The High Heel Dash & Block Party on Sunday, August 23 will take place at The Stable, 125 Washington Street, Providence from noon to 6 p.m, and will be hosted by BB Hayes and Kitty Litter. The actual race will take place outside the club at 2 p.m. and will offer 1st place prices for men and women. Registration is $25 and may be done on-line at www.aidscareos.org or from noon to 2 p.m. during the block party.
The Sunday, September 13 AIDS Walk RI starts at the Rhode Island State House and ends with a block party on Aborn Street, Providence. There is no charge to walk the course, but individuals and teams make donations and get sponsors. Registration takes place between noon and 1 p.m. that day, on-line at www.firstgiving.com/aidswalkri or through the two agencies’ websites. The walk kicks off at 1 p.m.
AIDS Project Rhode Island was founded in 1985 and became a division of non-profit Family Service of Rhode Island in 2008. More information is available at www.aidsprojectri.org.
AIDS Care Ocean State was founded in 1987. More information is available at www.aidscareos.org .