Amber Springer
Nebraska AIDS Project, 308.338.0556
The University of Nebraska at Kearney is one of four sites for the 2005 AIDS Walk Nebraska this month.
AIDS Walk Nebraska is set for Saturday, Sept. 10, in Kearney. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the walk scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at UNK’s west practice fields, located just west of the College of Education.
With the minimum pledge amount at only $25 per person, Nebraska AIDS Project spokesperson Amber Springer said that they are hoping to raise considerable funds for the organization.
Pledges are collected from donors by the walkers before the event on Saturday, or participants have the option to make a one-time donation of a $25, $100 or $250 registration fee and forego the collection of pledges. The registration fee determines the level at which participants will compete for prizes. All money raised goes to the
Nebraska AIDS Project to provide support for HIV positive people and those with AIDS in Nebraska.
Springer said that although Kearney has not been the location with the highest turnout rates in the past, individuals at the Nebraska AIDS Project are looking forward to what they hope will be a sizable turnout. They are expecting at least 100 walkers.
Nearly everyone participating in the walk will receive a prize for their involvement, Springer said. Prizes are awarded based on donations and pledges collected by walkers for the event. These prizes include a commemorative AIDS Walk 2005 T-shirt, an AIDS bracelet, AIDS water bottle and a Nebraska AIDS Project holiday ornament. The grand prize, going to the walker who raises the most money, is round-trip air travel for two on any Midwest Express Airlines flight. Midwest Airlines has flights across the United States to major cities including Los Angeles, Boston, Orlando and Denver.
The Nebraska AIDS Project began in 1984 and has worked for 21 years to serve the men, women and children affected by HIV and AIDS within Nebraska and parts of southwest Iowa. The goal of the project is to eliminate the spread of HIV by offering a number of free services at each of their six offices throughout the state. Services include counseling, along with free and confidential HIV testing.
The Nebraska AIDS Project teamed up with UNK’s Open Door group to organize this event. Other sponsors for AIDS Walk Nebraska 2005 include The Nebraska Medical Center, Bryan LGH, Midwest Airlines, Starbucks, The Reading Grounds, Nobbies Party Superstore, the City Weekly, Q98Five, Great Harvest Bread Company and Goldbergs II.
