By Vukoni Lupa-Lasaga, Rotary International News
University of Northern Iowa campus residents learned something new on 1 February: Rotary clubs are concerned about the global HIV/AIDS situation and are doing something to help those most affected by the pandemic.
Their source of information was the AIDS Walk, an HIV/AIDS awareness event held at Maucker Union, a multipurpose complex that serves as the hub of student activities at the Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA, university. The centerpiece of the effort was a two-hour walk around the complex aimed at drawing attention to the plight of Africa's 12 million AIDS orphans.
Volunteers passed out bookmarks and brochures about Rotarians for Fighting AIDS, a Rotarian Action Group that is implementing community-led responses for AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in seven African countries.
"A lot of people came together to make it happen," says Brittany Jungck, who conceived the AIDS Walk to raise awareness and funds to support RFFA activities. Area businesses, local media, student organizations, and university employees helped Jungck recruit volunteers and provided publicity, financial support, and in-kind donations.
For example, Kohl's department store donated red scarves and another store contributed more than 400 red HIV/AIDS ribbons that were handed out to participants. A copy center availed its facilities for printing publicity materials. And an on-campus AIDS coalition and other student groups helped organize the event and set up an information booth at the union.
Despite the wintry subzero weather, hundreds of students, staff, faculty, and a local Rotarian attended the AIDS Walk. More than US$500 was raised at the event.
"I was impressed with the people I saw who showed up to walk outside around the Union," says Brad Braley of the Rotary Club of Cedar Falls, who was happy to support an international service project. "I walked for about 45 minutes and had a good visit with Brittany. So I got a good education and a good workout at the same time!"
"It's all about collaborating with people who are concerned," explains Jungck, who is an internal communications specialist at the university. "If you team up your efforts with someone else, then you're stronger and you are better able to get people's attention and your voices are louder when you're speaking about the issue."
Jungck says her effort was inspired by AIDS Hike 2006, a 1,249-mile (2,010-kilometer) event in South Africa. In December, six international students -- four of them Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars -- hiked from Johannesburg to Cape Town to raise awareness of the AIDS orphans crisis.
One of the scholars, Keegan Kautzky, grew up with Jungck in Perry, Iowa. "From a very early age, Keegan has been involved in the community," she notes. "I am very inspired by him. There was a time he ran a food bank in our hometown all by himself."
In turn, the AIDS Walk has inspired more action. A group of students that sells roses for charity during Valentine's Day week is donating all proceeds from this year's sales to RFFA. In addition, Cherrie "Chillin" Nelson, a local poet, newspaper columnist, and graphic artist plans to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and raise funds for RFFA at a future poetry reading.
