AIDSWalk London, 'Sole to Soul Campaign' ...
AIDSWALK 2003
'Sole to Soul Campaign' - London, Ontario
2003 marked the 14th year that Londoners walked together in the fight against AIDS. The results exceed all goals and expectations. More information about AIDSWalk see their website www.aidswalklondon.org.
AIDSWalk London had been a joint fundraising event of London Regional AIDS Hospice Inc. operating John Gordon Home and AIDS Committee of London. The Board of Directors and Eric Dow, Executive Director of the London Regional AIDS Hospice Inc. operating John Gordon Home took on the task of making sure that AIDSWalk London would go ahead with some minor changes to the plan. John Gordon Home would ensure this community event continued. We knew this was a big task so we turned to Mandi Fields-Wombwell of Intuition Event Planning to help make AIDSWalk London 2003 the most successful walk London had seen.
One of the true benefits of AIDSWalk London has been the community and partnerships. The community wanted AIDSWalk London to continue. John Gordon Home knew we also wanted to continue the legacy of partnership. We decided to look for a new partner with whom we could share the proceeds.
We needed to find an agency that mirrored the work of John Gordon Home. Our new partner would need to provide quality care and services. Out of respect for our local supporters and walkers, we needed to make sure the money raised would be wisely spent on work we could all support.
We decided the needs internationally were great, the work was in keeping with our high standards, and the resources were few. We could do something to help. The decision was made. 50% of the net proceeds would stay in London to provide support and care for the individuals at John Gordon Home. The other 50% of the net proceeds would go to an organization outside of North America.
An article by Stephanie Nolen in the Globe and Mail, January 2003 described Stephen Lewis and his foundation. This article brought Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya (WOFAK) to our attention. WOFAK was chosen the AIDS Walk organizing committee. We are honoured to be able to partner with Dorothy Onyango and her team.
This year, the campaign never felt like work. The London community fully embraced this walk and the goals. Over 26 sponsors came on board: donating cash, prizes, advertising, and in kind products. We also had a record number of walkers and teams participate. This past week, $12,875.00 was wired through to Dorothy Onyango, Executive Director of WOFAK. We have had the privilege of being in contact with Dorothy, and have been continually inspired and challenged by the grueling work that WOFAK does.
We have also had the great pleasure of working with Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, Executive Director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. And Stephen Lewis honoured us with a visit to meet the some of the volunteers and walkers.
We plan to continue our partnership with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Together we have re-energized our community in the fight against AIDS, brought much needed attention to this global pandemic, and in the process have been able to help people with AIDS here in our local community of London, and in our international community.