AIDS Walkers rally in tough times

The economy may be in the doldrums, but that didn't stop the thousands of walkers who participated in the June 7 AIDS Walk Boston from raising money to help in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The walk, which is AIDS Action Committee's (AAC) largest fundraiser, has already brought in about $900,000 in cash donations, and AAC president and CEO Rebecca Haag said the event is on track to bring in the $1,050,000 that the organization set as its fundraising goal.

"We feel very confident we will meet our budget, which is very close to what we actually achieved last year, which is just phenomenal," said Haag. She is particularly grateful to the participants and sponsors, she said, because AIDS walks in other cities this year have seen steep drops in donations.

Haag's own walk team, Becky's Babes, was the third most successful team, bringing in more than $16,000. When the team began fundraising Haag made a pledge: should the team surpass its $15,000 goal, she would "dye her hair blond and become a true babe." Haag said the team made its goal the Friday before the walk, too late to schedule a hair appointment, but Haag took the stage of the Hatch Shell the morning of the walk decked out in a platinum blond wig, a black dress (purchased for $10 at AIDS Action's resale store, Boomerangs), and a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes borrowed from a friend. For the normally sensibly-suited, conservatively-coiffed Haag the look was a departure to say the least.

"It was quite the fashion moment, not to be missed," Haag said, laughing, and added, "We had to differentiate ourselves this year and we had to throw ourselves into it."

Haag said there is no official tally of the number of walkers this year, since many do not formally register, but AAC estimates that between 12,000 and 15,000 people took to the streets for the cause. She said AAC staff and board members showed a particularly strong commitment to supporting the event this year; of the top 10 individual highest fundraisers, six were either AAC staff or current or past board members.

"I think that also just says so much about the commitment of AIDS Action's staff and board itself, knowing we had to work extra hard this year to make sure the people we serve had to have the funding this year to carry on," said Haag.