Frequently Asked Questions

 
Q: When is the 2010 AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run?
A: Sunday, October 17, 2010

Q: Where does the 2010 AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run take Place?
A: In the meadow of Piedmont Park.

Q: What is the schedule for the 2010 AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run?
A: Check In opens at 12:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies start at 1:00 p.m. with the run stepping off at 1:45 p.m. and the Walk starting at 2:00 p.m.

Q: How long is AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run?
A: Five (5) Kilometers or approximately 3.1 miles.

Q: Can I bring my pet, stroller, or inline skates?
A: No, according City of Atlanta ordinance, no animals, strollers, or inline skates are allowed in the venue during any permitted event with the only exception of animals being guide dogs. AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run participants are to leave their pets, strollers and inline skates at home for their safety.

Q: How do I register?
A: Click on the ‘Register’ button above.

Q: What is a participant?
A: Registered Walkers, Runners, Volunteers and Virtual Walkers are ALL participants in AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run and encouraged to help raise funds to help people living with AIDS in Atlanta.

Q: How do I get my Participant Fundraising Kit?
A: Participant Fundraising Kits – which include a sponsor form -- can be printed off the website. “Click here" to download your kit or you may contact the Walk at 404.876.WALK (9255).

Q: Where do the funds raised go?
A: AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run benefits over 25,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, and helps prevent new HIV infections with more than 85,000 education program participants right here in Atlanta. Since its inception 20 years ago, AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run’s impact in Atlanta has expanded, exposure increased and reputation flourished.

AID Atlanta and the 8 participating agencies who benefit from AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run provide treatment and medications, prevention education, meals, hospice, mental health services, child care, substance abuse counseling, pastoral care, and clinical research to help thousands of our families, neighbors and friends living with, affected by, and at-risk for HIV/AIDS in Atlanta.

Q: What is a team?
A: Teams are made up of individuals from companies, civic organizations, schools, families and friends….. Any group of people who want to come together to help fight AIDS can form a team. A Team can range in size from ten to more than 250. Teams that have 15 or more registered participants by noon Monday, October 11, 2010 will qualify for a meeting station in Team Land on the day of AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run for a central gathering spot. These fund raising teams will receive a photograph of their team taken on the day of the event.

Q: What are my responsibilities as Captain of a Team?
A: Team Captains recruit other participants to join their team, distribute AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run promotional materials, and serve as a role-model for fund raising. “Click here” to down load a Team Captain’s Kit full of hints and ideas on way to be a great team captain.

Q:  How does an individual change their Participant type?
A:  Please contact the AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run office for assistance in making this change.

Q: How can I promote AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run at my company, organization or School?
A: We suggest one or all, of the following:
• Form an AIDS Walk Team committee and enlist colleagues to help spread the word and register walkers.
• Put up posters in high traffic areas (i.e. cafeterias, lobbies, near elevators).
• Hold an AIDS Awareness Day and/or AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run Kick-Off Party for employees. Maybe you can even make it a fundraiser.
• Ask senior management to write a personal appeal encouraging staff participation – you may need to draft that for them.
• Communicate and follow up with your team about their fundraising efforts.
• Plan a brunch or lunch on the day of the Walk/Run.

Q: What is a Matching Gift?
A: A matching gift is a donation made by a company on behalf of a qualifying individual.  The matching gift donation can equal or exceed the amount of the donation to a nonprofit organization depending on the companies program.  Matching Gift Programs are increasingly vital to nonprofit organizations because of their ability to increase resources by doubling, tripling or even quadrupling the individual’s contribution.  Research you employer’s matching gift policies in order to guarantee your donation is increased properly. 

There are a number of different way Matching Gift Programs can work.  The company may match dollar donations, volunteer hours, or other areas.  The Matching Gift form must be filled out accurately and completely by the employee and then sent to AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run to continue the authorization process.  

Q: How can I help start a matching gift program at my company?
A: Talk to your Human Resources manager or Corporate Giving officer. Many companies have implemented matching gift programs because of employee interest. Don’t forget to ask your sponsors/donors if their companies have matching gift programs.

Q: How can my team raise more money?
A: We suggest doing one, or all, of the following:
• Ask your human resources manager if your company has a matching gift program.
• Your company can also support the team via a direct donation to the team or by awarding a flat donation to each of the team’s walkers.
• Offer prizes or incentives to your top fundraising walkers/runners (i.e. theater tickets, gift cards and/or sporting event tickets are often popular with team members).
• Sell dress down days. Your co-workers will love this one!
• Have a bake sale. The best way to someone’s wallet is through their stomach.
• Ask your vendors, clients, or customers to make a donation or join you on your team.
• Ask your friends and family to sponsor you or join your team and raise money themselves.

Q: If someone has already registered as an individual, can they still join a team?
A: Yes! Participants (walkers, runners, virtual walkers, or volunteers) who have already registered for this year’s event can easily transfer onto your team. Simply contact AIDS Walk Staff via e-mail to request the change.

Q: As a captain, how do I get an updated roster of the members on my team?
A: You can review your team roster online at www.aidswalkatlanta.com.
If you have additional questions, please contact the Teams Manager or Teams Coach. 

Q: Is there a deadline for registering a team for AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run?
A: Yes. The deadline for registering for team members is Monday, October 11, 2010 at noon. Please remember that teams that have collectively raised $1,500 or more in confirmed donations by noon Monday, October 11, 2010 will qualify for a meeting station in Team Land. However, we emphasize that the earlier a team is formed and participants recruited the more funds that can be raised to help people living with, affected by and at-risk for HIV/AIDS in Atlanta.

Q: What if someone wants to join our team after the deadline?
A: Participants (walkers, runners, virtual walkers, or volunteers) may still join your team after the pre-registration deadline; however, they will not appear on your team roster the morning of the event. For those participants who miss the deadline, simply add their contact information to the team transfer sheets located at your team meeting station the day of the Walk. In the weeks following AIDS Walk, team lists will be updated with new team member names and contributions. A final roster will be e-mailed to all team captains beginning November 30th, 2010.

Q: What is the deadline for money to be credited to team totals?
A: Contributions (including corporate matching gift forms) must be received by AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 to count toward your team’s total. AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run gratefully accepts contributions all year round, however, until the new campaign begins in the spring, those gifts cannot be applied to specific teams.

Q: Is AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run a go green organization?
A: Yes, AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run has significantly reduced the, “Eco-Footprint” by implementing a recycling program, reducing paper usage by increasing electronic communication and reusing scrap paper for inter-office memos. AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run has also engaged the services of an environmentally friendly porto-let company and will reuse signs from previous year’s campaigns to reduce waste of materials.

Q: What do I do if I have a question that is not listed here?
A: Contact us at walkinfo@aidatlanta.org or call 404.876.WALK (9255).