Walk to Benefit AIDS, HIV Patients

Hundreds of walkers are set to descend on San Buenaventura State Beach on Saturday for Walk for Life ‘95, a fund-raiser benefiting Ventura County’s AIDS support groups.

The fourth annual pledge walk, which raises money for Christopher House and AIDS Care, will start at 9 a.m. at the state beach concession stand.

Christopher House is a hospice for people living with AIDS and HIV, the virus that causes the disease. AIDS Care is a nonprofit group that provides support services for people with the virus.

“It’s our biggest fund-raiser,” said Doug Green, executive director of AIDS Care.

“In addition to that, the walk is an annual ritual demonstration of community support for people with AIDS. It is encouraging to see people from all segments of the community come out and publicly state their support of people who are struggling with this disease. And it’s very uplifting for the people who have HIV to come and feel this kind of outpouring of support.”

Last year, about 500 walkers raised $50,000 for the two organizations, the most money ever generated by participants in the 10-kilometer walk. This year, organizers hope to top that mark.

“It really provides a big chunk of the private funds that we need to continue to operate,” Green said.

“But it’s much more than an annual fund-raising event,” he said. “So much these days we hear how grim the picture looks for AIDS, especially as it continues to grow and spread. Events like this give us hope. We can see a huge commitment in the community to stemming the spread of HIV.”

To walk in the event or for more information, call 643-0446. People who want to participate can show up Saturday at San Buenaventura State Beach starting at 8 a.m.