Tonight, Drake’s ONE is hosting a walk to benefit those with AIDS. According to the organization’s page on Drake’s student group website, ONE is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “achieve global change and methods of reform through advocacy, outreach and education on issues regarding global public health and social justice for individuals facing the most destitute conditions.”
The walk is two miles long and will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gray’s Lake. Megan Berberich, a member of ONE, is hoping that this walk will become an annual event. The registration fees are only $5 for students ($10 for adults), and all of the proceeds go to the Nyamirama Health Center in Rwanda.
The Nyamirama Health Center is funded by the FACE AIDS Adopt a Health Center Campaign. According to the group’s website, the mission of FACE AIDS is to “fight HIV/AIDS by building a movement of young leaders dedicated to global health equity and social justice.” This organization is run by Partners in Health, which uses 94 percent of donations for program activities and medicine. This year, FACE AIDS has a fundraising goal of $185,000. Colleges around the country are putting on events similar to the walk at Gray’s Lake to help work towards that goal.
ONE’s saying is “we don’t ask for your money, we ask for your voice.” This walk is something easy that students can participant in to help make the world a better place. Its impact is greater than the effort it takes to walk the two miles. ONE does not receive this money but helps other organizations raise money, and in this case, it is FACE AIDS. ONE did an event in March called the Clean Cause Concert. The proceeds from that event were donated to water.com, which helps provide clean water to where there is a scarcity of it.
You can register at http://faceaidsnightwalk.wufoo.com/forms/z7x3x5/ or at the event tonight. If helping out people with AIDS isn’t enough motivation, members of ONE will be handing out free water bottles, and everyone that comes to the walk will be entered to win gift cards from businesses that have donated.
This walk is a way to get outside and enjoy the weather while helping a good cause. There are people in the world that don’t even have clean water to drink or who are suffering from AIDS. For example, in Rwanda, 43 percent of all orphans lost parents to AIDS.
If you have any questions about the walk or ONE, contact Berberich at [email protected].
You can also find ONE on Facebook (One at Drake University) or Twitter (@DrakeU_ONE).
