Florida AIDS Walk FAQs
General Information
Q: WHY AM I REQUIRED TO PAY $25 DOLLARS TO REGISTER?
A: Every year, we’ve asked participants to commit to raise at least $25 prior to arriving at the Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival, as part of their commitment to support people in Florida who are living with HIV/AIDS. The only difference is that this year, we are asking people to make that contribution at the time of registration, rather than at the event Check-In, to help reduce the Check-In lines that morning, and streamline the arrival process. If you are unable or reluctant to register online with the minimum credit card donation, please feel free to download and print this Offline Registration Form with which you can mail a check to the Florida AIDS Walk office for payment and registration All Offline Registration Forms must be received on or before Thursday, March 21st to ensure processing in time for the event on Sunday, March 24th.
If you have additional questions about the registration process, please feel free to contact us via e-mail at info@FloridaAIDSWalk.org, or by calling (866) 883-9255.
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 and are invited to a special appreciation reception that takes place on a date after the Walk
Donations
Q: TO WHOM SHOULD DONATION CHECKS BE MADE OUT?
A: Please make checks payable to “Florida AIDS Walk.” If your donation is to be credited to a specific Walker or Team, please be sure to make note of it in the MEMO line of the check, to ensure proper credit is given.
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. Please be aware that online registrants will be asked to donate a minimum of $25 to support the Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival as part of the registration process.
Q: WHAT IF I DON’T WISH TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR FLORIDA AIDS WALK, OR DON’T WANT TO MAKE MY MINIMUM $25 SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT WITH A CREDIT CARD?
If you are unable or reluctant to register online and/or contribute the $25 minimum credit card donation, please feel free to download and print this Offline Registration Form, with which you can mail a check to the Florida AIDS Walk office for payment and registration. All Offline Registration Forms must be received on or before Thursday, March 21st to ensure processing in time for the event on Sunday, March 24th.
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 New 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 and Music Festival requires a minimum $25 sponsorship for anyone who wishes to attend the event, payable at the time of registration. 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 participants for Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival 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, and 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 AND MUSIC FESTIVAL?
A: There are many opportunities for you to get involved in Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival, 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 FAMILY 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 "Sponsor 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 REGISTERED?
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 New 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 choosing 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 the beach 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 Thursday, March 14th 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 the 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 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) and takes roughly one to two hours to complete.
Q: WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY OF FLORIDA AIDS WALK?
A:
8:00 am: Registration/Check-In begins on the beach at “South Beach Park” (Fort Lauderdale Beach, just north of the Sheraton, near the playgrounds).
8:00 am: Walkers who have Checked-In will be welcomed onto “South Beach Park” (Fort Lauderdale Beach, just north of the Sheraton) to find their friends and teammates.
9:30 am: Opening Ceremony begins on our BEACH STAGE at Fort Lauderdale’s South Beach Park.
10:30 am: Walk begins (see route map, below).
11:30 “ish”: Post-Walk Celebration and Music Festival begins – drinks, food, DJ’s and live entertainment!
Q: ARE PETS WELCOME AT THE WALK?
A: Florida AIDS Walk is a pet-friendly event, provided your pet is friendly. However, animals are NOT allowed on the beach where the pre-Walk line-up and post-Walk Music Festival is being held, so you will be forced to miss a lot of the fun if you have your four-legged friends with you! Also, be advised that a 5K 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 5K, 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!
