AIDS Walk New York is the world's largest fundraising event for the AIDS epidemic. More than 45,000 men, women, and children walked in last year’s AIDS Walk New York, raising over $5.6 million for Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and over forty other organizations. GMHC is the oldest and most comprehensive not-for-profit AIDS service organization in the United States, serving over 15,000 men, women and children in the New York City area each year. Through various volunteering positions, either on-going or one day participation, you will be a part of a team dependent on the strength and compassion of 5,000 volunteers. By volunteering with AIDS Walk New York, you can make a significant contribution to the fight against AIDS and play a central role in the success of one of the most recognizable, longstanding, and respected AIDS fundraising events in the world.

Description and/or History:
AIDS Walk New York benefits Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC). GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported, and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians.
The first cases of AIDS were reported in 1981 and prompted immediate attention when the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced it as an epidemic. In 1982, Gay Men's Health Crisis was officially founded to increase research on the disease and to support those that had been discriminated against because they had been infected. In 1986, New York hosts the first AIDS Walk, with 4,500 walkers and raising $710,000. Since then GMHC has initiated various campaigns and outreach programs designated to improving the livelihoods of people living with HIV/ AIDS.

Contact person: Shaun Sheppard, Volunteer Coordinator, (212) 807-9255, (email)

Address:

119 West 24th Street Floor 2 New York, NY 10011 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: R,W/ 23rd Street, 1/23rd Street, F/23rd Street,   Walk distance (in minutes): 2