Florida AIDS Walk FAQs
General Information
Q: WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
A: The money raised by Florida AIDS Walk supports the services provided by AIDS Healthcare Foundation and several other beneficiary organizations that are chosen each year. 100% of every dollar raised remains in Florida, to provide direct services to its residents who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Click here to learn more about this year’s beneficiaries.
Q: WHAT IS A TEAM?
A: Teams can consist of as few as two people, and are comprised of walkers representing a variety of companies, schools, churches, or organizations in the South Florida area. There are also many friends and family teams that participate, some of whom walk in memory of those they have lost. Teams can range in size from two to more than one hundred walkers.
Q: WHAT IS A “POWER WALKER”
A: A Power Walker is a Walker who raises $1,000 or more for Florida AIDS Walk. In addition to getting a flashy crown to wear on the day of the walk, Power Walkers will receive recognition in our Event Program, an Express Pass for registration, and additional bonuses to be announced!
Q: WHAT IS A “WALKMASTER”?
A: In addition to all of the other incentives being offered to fundraisers, the top fifty fundraisers will be known as WalkMasters. WalkMasters get an exclusive prize, a VIP tent on Huizenga Plaza, and are invited to a special appreciation reception that takes place on a date after the Walk. Here are a list of the other fundraisers:
- Raise $100 : Work the runway in a brand new Florida AIDS Walk t-shirt!
- Raise $250 : Keep it cool with a stylish stainless steel water bottle!
- Raise $500 : Hang on to your hats! (Actually, hang on to one of our embroidered baseball caps!)
- Raise $1000 : Carry your fresh new Florida AIDS Walk swag in an embroidered messenger bag! It’s even big enough to carry your new Power Walker crown!
Donations
Q: TO WHOM SHOULD DONATION CHECKS BE MADE OUT?
A: Please make checks payable to “Florida AIDS Walk.”
Q: WHERE DO I MAIL DONATIONS?
A:
Florida AIDS Walk
110 SE 6th Street, Suite 1960
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
NOTE: clearly include the name of who you are sponsoring on the check. Otherwise, your donation could be credited as a general donation.
Registration
Q: HOW DO I REGISTER FOR FLORIDA AIDS WALK ONLINE?
A: Click on Register to Walk and follow the steps on your screen, where you will be guided through the registration process. Once your transaction is complete, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from info@FloridaAIDSWalk.org. This e-mail will contain your username and password that you have selected.
Q: WHAT IF I DON’T WISH TO REGISTER FOR FLORIDA AIDS WALK ONLINE?
If you prefer to register by phone or e-mail: please contact us at (866) 883-9255 or info@FloridaAIDSWalk.org. Provide us with your name, address, phone and an e-mail address, and you will receive a system-generated username and password via e-mail. Please use this to access your personal fundraising web page. Once logged in you can create your own username and password, as well as design your page.
NOTE: Even if you don’t wish to use the web site to raise funds, it will still save you time at Event-Day Registration to add your cash and check donations to the web site ahead of time. Please log in to your Participant Center on our site, and select “Enter Gift” on the right hand of the screen to do so.
Q: IS THERE A MINIMUM AMOUNT I SHOULD RAISE FOR FLORIDA AIDS WALK?
A: YES. Florida AIDS Walk requires a minimum of $25 in funds raised for anyone who wishes to attend the event. This can be a contribution you make to yourself as a Walker, or donations made by others to your fundraising page. We encourage everyone to set an ambitious fundraising goal, and do their best to achieve it. Additionally, fundraising walkers for Florida AIDS Walk are eligible for Incentive Awards at the $100, $250, $500 and $1000 prize level.
Q: SHOULD WALKERS USE THEIR HOME OR WORK ADDRESS TO REGISTER?
A: All walkers should register using their home address. If you must use your office address, make sure you put your company name, as often times the Post Office will return mail sent to an individual at a business address. Providing more than one address will result in a duplicate registration.
Fundraising
Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO TO START RAISING FUNDS FOR FLORIDA AIDS WALK?
A: A few simple suggestions to get started with your fundraising can be found below. For more fundraising ideas visit our Fundraising Tips & Tools page.
- Set up your Team or Individual Fundraising Web page. Then send out an e-mail to friends, family members, and co-workers. Each e-mail sent from your Web page contains a link to sponsor you online with a credit card.
- Social Networking. Use sites such as Facebook and Twitter to ask your friends and other contacts for support. Write notes, share links that are news-worthy and related to the battle against HIV, and by all means, share the link to your fundraising page! (Be sure that you are mindful of each site’s anti-spam or solicitation policies.)
- Matching Gift Programs. Many corporate organizations have corporate giving programs that match the contributions their employees give to a charitable organization. By utilizing the matching gift programs of your employer or your family and friends' employers, you can quickly double or triple your fundraising dollars. Ask your Human Resources representative about your employer's corporate giving policies and whether they have a matching gift program.
- Host a fundraising party or event. Ask a local bar or restaurant to donate their space for a happy hour or fundraising dinner party. Charge a flat admission or suggest a donation. Plan a raffle, contest, or drink special to make the night exciting!
- Awards and recognition! Give your Team Members an incentive to sign up, raise money, and walk. Ask a local business to contribute to your team by providing an incentive prize or two, and then create a contest within your team or group of friends to determine who will win it. Contest ideas include: most new team members enlisted, most fundraising e-mail requests sent using the web site, highest amount raised, or most original fundraising effort.
Q: HOW ELSE CAN I SUPPORT FLORIDA AIDS WALK?
A: There are many opportunities for you to get involved in Florida AIDS Walk, from volunteering to becoming a corporate or in-kind sponsor. Even if you aren’t in a position to sponsor, you may have contacts who are. To find out about any of these options, or share sponsorship leads that you think might be helpful, please contact the Florida AIDS Walk office at 866-883-9255.
Website and Online Fundraising
Q: I FORGOT MY USERNAME AND/OR PASSWORD. HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE?
A: Remember that your username and password are case-sensitive. Click on the Forgot your password?” link and choose one of the options that follow. You can get a hint for your password, have it e-mailed directly to you, or have your User Name sent to you, if you’ve forgotten that, as well.
Still stuck? Please contact us at (866) 883-9255 or info@FloridaAIDSWalk.org for assistance.
Q: HOW CAN FRIENDS AND VAMILY FIND MY INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISING WEB PAGE TO MAKE A DONATION?
A: When you send an e-mail from your Florida AIDS Walk Participant Center, the link to your individual fundraising Web page will automatically be included in the bottom of the e-mail, as will the link to your team page (if applicable).
Also, on the home page of the website, friends and family can locate a participant by clicking on the “Donate” link from the home page, then clicking the button for "Sponsoring a Walker.” By typing in the name of the participant, they will then be able to select that participant from the results returned, which will lead them to that individual’s fundraising web page.
Q: WHY IS THE "SPONSOR A WALKER" SEARCH NOT FINDING A PARTICIPANT THAT I KNOW HAS REGISTERE?
A: While they are not case sensitive, you must type in the exact spelling of the first or last name of the person you are looking for. If you continue to have a problem locating a participant that you are sure has registered, please contact us at (866) 883-9255 or info@FloridaAIDSWalk.org.
Q: HOW CAN I SEE WHO HAS DONATED TO ME?
A: From the Florida AIDS Walk home page, log in by entering your username and password in the fields on the right. Click here if you do not know your login information. Once you are redirected to your Participant Center, click “PROGRESS” from the menu near the top of the screen to view your donation history.
Q: WHY AREN'T THE CASH AND CHECK CONTRIBUTIONS I'VE RAISED SHOWING UP ON MY PERSONAL FUNDRAISING WEB PAGE?
A: While credit card donations made through the website will automatically appear on a walker’s personal web page, cash and check donations require walkers to update their fundraising Web pages by logging in and choosing the “Enter Gift” option on the right-hand side of the screen.
Q: ALL OF MY DONORS ARE NOT SHOWING UP ON THE SCROLL MECHANISM. WHY?
A: As your donors make a contribution, they have the option of whether or not they want to appear in the recognition scroll.
Team Questions
Q: WHAT ARE A TEAM LEADER'S RESPONSIBILITIES?
A: Click here to review Team Captain FAQ’s.
Q: WHAT IS A TEAM MEETING TABLE?
A: A Team Meeting Table is a designated area on Huizenga Plaza at which your Team can meet on the day of the event. Team Meeting Stations are arranged alphabetically on the plaza, beginning closest to the stage and working back. Many Team Leaders decorate their Meeting Stations with balloons and banners, in addition to bringing T-shirts and breakfast items for their team. To qualify for a Team Meeting Station on the day of the AIDS Walk, your team must have 10 or more walkers pre-registered by the extended deadline of Friday, March 4th at noon. A list of teams who qualify for a Team Meeting Station will e-mailed to all Walkers the following week. Teams who do not qualify for a Team Meeting Station can arrange their own location to meet on the morning of Florida AIDS Walk. Click here to view the Florida AIDS Walk route map for ideas on where to meet with your team.
Event Information
Q: HOW LONG IS FLORIDA AIDS WALK?
A: Florida AIDS Walk is 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and takes roughly two to three hours to complete. Signs will be posted indicating a “Mini-Walk,” which is half the length (5 kilometers), and indicates a point along the route at which Walkers can turn around and return to the finish.
Q: WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY OF FLORIDA AIDS WALK?
A:
- 8:00 am: Registration/Check-In (Registration/Check-In located on the first floor of Parking Garage east of the Museum)
- 9:20 am: Opening Ceremony at Huizenga Plaza, Fort Lauderdale
- 10:00 am: Walk begins (see route map, below)
- 1:00 pm: Post-Walk Celebration
Q: ARE PETS WELCOME AT THE WALK?
A: Florida AIDS Walk is a pet-friendly event, provided your pet is friendly. Be advised the a 10K Walk can be very hard on animals not accustomed to walking such distances, especially in the heat. While we take great measures to ensure that our Walkers don’t suffer from heat exhaustion or dehydration, we do not have veterinarians or animal experts on-hand to do the same for your pet. Please keep your pet’s best interests as your top priority!
Q: WHAT IF I WANT TO RUN THE 10K, OR WHAT IF I AM A SLOW WALKER?
A: Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate in Florida AIDS Walk. Please recognize that if you run ahead of the police-supported road and lane closures, or fall behind the road closure schedule, the roads along the route will be open to traffic, and you will need to be on the sidewalk. In either case, please still be aware that you are participating at your own risk, and be careful!