More than 6,000 people walked the streets of Phoenix on Sunday for the Aunt Rita’s AIDS Walk, raising more than $300,000 to benefit those who have been affected by HIV and AIDS.
Aunt Rita’s Foundation raises and distributes funds among programs in the metropolitan Phoenix area that help fight HIV and AIDS and support those currently living with the infection and related conditions.
The AIDS Walk began in 1987 but had to shut down in 2003 when the agency that coordinated the walk closed its doors. Aunt Rita’s Foundation brought back the walk in 2008.
“It’s really good — everyone is there to have fun and enjoy,” said Kit Kloeckl, executive director of Aunt Rita’s.
Multiple sponsors covered the administrative costs for the walk so all the money raised could go to the 17 benefiting agencies, including Compassion in Action. This year’s AIDS Walk raised $308,082.
Compassion in Action, established in 1993, assists those affected by HIV and AIDS. Steve Robenalt and his wife, Patty Robenalt, founded Compassion in Action when Patty’s mother was diagnosed with AIDS and later died in 1989.
Robenalt and his volunteers work with the community through a Christian ministry with a food-box program, a monthly dinner and pastoral counseling. Their goal is to show compassion to those who are affected or diagnosed with HIV and AIDS, rather than condemning them.
The contribution from the AIDS Walk is the largest single contribution Compassion in Action receives. They have been involved with the AIDS Walk every year since 1994.
Robenalt said the more people who participate in the event, the more the walk is able to make a difference. The team leader for the top fundraising team said he knows how much that little difference can count.
Richard Stevens, who performs as drag personality Barbra Seville, is the leader of #BSW100 Barbra Seville’s Wonderful 100. The group raised $32,017 for the AIDS Walk. Stevens said the key to success was gathering a group of at least 100 people who were dedicated to raising $100 each.
The group has raised more than $100,000 total in the past five years and has been the top fundraising team for several years, Stevens said. The team works year round to raise money for the AIDS Walk.
“We do a drag brunch, we sell our T-shirt, we do fundraising shows and auctions,” Stevens said.
Each year the team tries to use the word ‘wonder’ on their shirt. In previous years, their shirts have said ‘Wonderbread’ and ‘Wonderwoman.’ This year’s shirt theme was ‘Bewondered’ in honor of the TV show “Bewitched.”
Every year there is a friendly competition between #BSW100 and Team Rychard. Barb Eldridge, whose son died of AIDS, founded Team Rychard. She made a promise to her son that she would do her part to make a difference and support people whose lives have been touched by AIDS.
Kloeckl called it the “Battle of the Barbs” as #BSW100 and Team Rychard both fight for the top fundraising spot. #BSW100 has always grabbed the top spot, except for once a couple years ago when #BSW100 decided to donate all of their raised funds to Team Rychard, making Team Rychard the No. 1 fundraising group that year.
Contact the reporter at Catherine.Hahne@asu.edu
