Walk Will Highlight Local AIDS Services

In an effort to wake people up to the fact that there are HIV/AIDS service providers right here in the San Fernando Valley, Hands United Together is holding its first “Walk 10 Run 5: Moving For AIDS” on Saturday at Balboa Park.

“We really need to get the word out that there are health and social services in the Valley for HIV and AIDS support,” said Davyd McCoy, executive director of Hands United Together.

“The fact is almost 15% of all HIV/AIDS cases in Los Angeles County have been reported here in the San Fernando Valley,” McCoy said. “Yet many of these people are unaware of the services available to them and feel they must go ‘over the hill’ to downtown Los Angeles to be adequately cared for.”

Saturday’s event will try to change this perception as well as raise money for nonprofit agencies who assist HIV/AIDS clients, the majority of whom are low-income, McCoy said.

In addition to the 10-K walk and the 5-K run, more than six hours of musical entertainment, including salsa, R&B; and rap music, along with the Country Night Cloggers of Los Angeles, is planned. Vendors will also offer their wares and food and drink to the public.

The walk and run will begin at 9 a.m. at the southeast corner of the park, on Woodley Avenue just south of Victory Boulevard. The entertainment will last until 6 p.m.

The cost for participating in the walk and run is $20 for adults and $10 for children. For more information, call (818) 908-3541.