I am not a morning person. Half of the time I'm late for work. Okay, most of the time. Fine, I was on time once in the past two months. So the only way you would catch me awake at 5 am is if I stayed up the night before.
However, I made a commitment for a good cause: AIDS Walk 2005. I volunteered to help walkers sign in; and being such, I had to be at Central Park by 6:45 am. So here I was, awake at the crack of dawn. Read more [+/-]
It was an amazing experience. Knowing that the time I volunteered helped change the epidemic was well worth my Sunday sleep-in time. After all, I can just sleep in during the week, right?
As the sign in area closed, I got to enjoy the rest of the days' activities. Music played from beyond the trees as I strolled down Academic Walk. Then I passed the 'I Walk Because...' memorial wall.
I hate memorial walls. They make me all sentimental and teary-eyed. If I'm not careful, I will succumb to sympathy pains; their loss is my loss and I'll have to take a few moments to regain my composure.
Later, I met my friend D. and we walked through the finish line area to the other side of the park. She made this observation: "There are so many different types of people here that you wouldn't expect together. Like that old Indian couple there. And those young highschool kids. And ooh! That baby is so cute!" Personally, I was more like, "He's hot. He's hot. And ooh! That daddy's cute!"
Of course she's right. AIDS is not prejudice and it is still an epidemic. It might affect someone I know, someone I love. Or someone they love. And since I can do something now, I will.
To those who sponsored me, Thank You. You have my sincerest gratitude.
For more information, visit the AIDS Walk website, or to see the amount I raised, visit my donor page. You can still donate.
3 comments:
Well spent Sunday! I always wanted to volunteer for good causes. Maybe one 1 day. That was REALLY nice of you Jase.
You did good, Jase. I did the walk a few years ago when the weather wasn't so nice as yesterday, but the feeling of helping a great cause was worth it :)
Doing something for this or any cause is a wonderful act. AIDS and HIV has touched my life in so many ways, even now in the new Millenium. It is a strong reminder that the epidemic has not passed and that apathy cannot be accepted. You are fabulaous for doing it Jase, truly.
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