News
16th Annual AIDS Walk/Run breaks all-time ACR record
June 1, 2008~More than a thousand walkers and runners raised a record-smashing $185,600 to support the work of AIDS Community Resources in the 16th annual AIDS Walk/Run presented by Empower Federal Credit Union on Sunday, June 1, at Beaver Lake Nature Center. Last year’s effort raised $155,000.
"This is show of support for AIDS Community Resources as the agency celebrates its 25th anniversary,” said Wil Murtaugh, ACR’s Director of Special Projects. “With the recent budget cuts from Albany, this shows us how strongly the community is behind us – how important they feel it is to stop the spread HIV/AIDS in Central New York.”
Proceeds from the AIDS Walk/Run support youth HIV prevention and education programs like the Teen AIDS Task Force (TATF), the Q Center (for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning youth), and emergency client services in Central New York. TATF is a peer education leadership program that works with schools and community groups to prevent infections of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in youth.
“There is much work to be done in Central New York to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS,” Murtaugh said. “Our TATF chapters encourage youth to make sound decisions.” The Q Center provides HIV counseling, after school tutoring, arts and computer programs for LGBTQ youth aged 13 to 22. The Center is the only organization offering a wide range of services specifically for LGBTQ youth in this area of New York.
AIDS Community Resources wants to thank our sponsors for their invaluable assistance in presenting the AIDS Walk/Run: Empower Federal Credit Union, Data Key Communications, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Time Warner Cable, Panera Bread, National Grid, Wal-Mart, Constellation Energy, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Ikon, Kinney Drugs Foundation, Mountain Goat, Sam’s Club, Syracuse Home, Tibotec, Great Brewers, Outback Steakhouse in Clay, Starbucks Coffee. Our media sponsors are Fox 68, Syracuse New Times, Hot 107.9, Power 106.9, Family Times, and my43 WNYS.
To see all photos, go to www.AIDSwalkCNY.com
Mohawk Valley AIDS Hike raises $64,000!
April 27, 2008~Great weather made for a great turnout at the 10th Annual AIDS Hike For Life at Hamilton College in Clinton on Sunday, April 27. Empower Federal Credit Union presented the event featuring a 5K fundraising walk and a 5K fundraising run to benefit AIDS Community Resources. This year, proceeds from the AIDS Hike For Life are more important than ever because of decisions made earlier this month in Albany.
New York State has decided to cut direct services to people living with HIV/AIDS. For the first time in 25 years, the state budget cut 2.3% from AIDS support programs that provide comprehensive services for tens of thousands of people throughout the state, including funding for AIDS Community Resources.
“This cut in state aid combined with federal cuts from last year makes doing our work much more difficult,” said Wil Murtaugh, ACR’s Director of Special Projects/Development. “The good news is that the Mohawk Valley has stepped up to make a huge difference for us.”
The AIDS Hike For Life is AIDS Community Resources’ largest outreach and fundraising event in the Mohawk Valley. 100% of the money stays in the Mohawk Valley to benefit ACR’s youth HIV prevention programs and client support services.
Hundreds of participants in the AIDS Hike For Life enjoyed free Starbucks coffee, Panera Bread bagels, hot dogs from Bon Appetit Management, good food from Hannaford Supermarkets, a free massage and music from KISS FM.
AIDS Community Resources thanks title sponsor Empower Federal Credit Union and all sponsors who helped make the AIDS Hike For Life possible: Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Medicine Shoppe of Ilion, Time Warner Cable, Data Key Communications, Wal-Mart and National Grid.
First Frost AIDS Walk an Astounding Success!
October 14, 2007~The crowd, the weather, the fundraising – everything abou the 8th Annual First Frost AIDS Walk, presented by Empower Federal Credit Union, broke records on Sunday, at the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park in Watertown. The preliminary total raised - $38,200 - was a 65% increase over last year. “More than 300 walkers, can you believe it! The weather was sunny and comfortable. We never expected to raise so much money!” said AIDS Community Resources’ Director of Special Projects, Wil Murtaugh. The biggest fundraiser by far was longtime AIDS Community Resources’ supporter Carmen Sweet of Lowville, who teamed with 50 members of Emmanuel Congregational Church Lowville to raise $8245. “Carmen has worked tirelessly to raise money to help youth in the North Country learn about how to stay safe from HIV,” said Murtaugh. All of the money donated in the First Frost AIDS Walk supports emergency client services and HIV/AIDS Youth Prevention programs like the Teen AIDS Task Force (TATF) in Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, and St. Lawrence counties. TATF is the only school-based HIV prevention education program in New York State. TATF works with schools and community groups to prevent infections of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in youth.
ACR Spokes bike for a good cause
August 20, 2007~They trained hard and worked hard to raise the $3,500 entry fee; now, 9 members of the ACR Spokes are basking in the glory of successfully bicycling 560 miles across New York State in one week, ending August 18th. The Empire State AIDS Ride began in Niagara Falls and ended at Battery Park in New York City. The proceeds (more than $248,000) will be divided among selected AIDS agencies.
“Our riders have taken on a big physical and financial challenge. I can’t begin to put into words how proud I am of them and how grateful we are for their help,” said Carrie Large of AIDS Community Resources’ Development Department. ACR uses the funds for youth HIV prevention and education programs and for emergency client needs in 9 counties in the Central, Northern, and Mohawk Valley regions of New York.
ACR Spokes team members are a diverse bunch: a college professor, an engineer, a physical therapist, a public relations professional, and a Starbucks store manager.
15th AIDS Walk/Run Breaks Record
June 3, 2007~Central New Yorkers raised an amazing $150,200 at Beaver Lake Nature Center, making the 15th Annual AIDS Walk/Run the most successful ever. The AIDS Walk/Run is AIDS Community Resources’ (ACR) original (1993) and biggest fundraiser. Proceeds support youth HIV prevention and education programs like the Teen AIDS Task Force (TATF), the Q Center (for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning youth), and for emergency client services in Central New York. Read full story...
Youth Center Grand Opening
May 24, 2007~At a morning press conference, AIDS Community Resources (ACR) announced the opening of The Q Center to serve Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth, ages 13 – 22. The Q Center is a significant expansion of ACR’s youth HIV prevention initiatives, and an outgrowth of the LGBTQ youth support group ACR and its volunteers have guided since 2000. The Q Center is the only organization offering a wide range of services specifically for LGBTQ young people in this area of New York. Read full story...
9th Annual AIDS Hike For Life a Success!
April 29, 2007
~Hundreds walkers and runners raised $60,000 to support AIDS Community Resources (ACR) in the 9th Annual AIDS Hike For Life Sunday, April 29, 2007 at Hamilton College in Clinton, an impressive effort in the fight to stop the spread HIV/AIDS in the Mohawk Valley. Last year, the AIDS Hike For Life raised $52,000. Read full story...