NYCAAP Members Walked The AIDS Walk

On May 21, 26 students from Newtown participated in the AIDS Walk New York. The students, members of NYCAAP (Newtown Youth Creating AIDS Awareness for Peers), joined more than 47,000 walkers to raise money for organizations, including the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, that help people with AIDS/HIV.

The 10K course started in Central Park, headed north to 110th Street, went west to Riverside Drive, south to 74th Street, and back into the park. It took the group approximately three hours to all complete the walk.

Many of the NYCAAP student were suffering a bit of sleep deprivation as the prom was held two nights prior to the walk. All felt that no matter how tired they were, the cause was worth the effort to rise early to get to NYC.

Blake Barreto, one such student, offered these thoughts, “I went out and had an easy night but it was really rough waking up Sunday morning after being out Saturday night as well. I wasn’t stoked to wake up, but I was amped to walk for AIDS. I think it’s real rad for teens to be out, doing things like this. It was really diverse which is rad since Newtown isn’t.”

Elaine Bomely was inspired by the number of people who walked last year and impressed by the millions of dollars they raised. “Since I am an officer of NYCAAP, I knew that the AIDS Walk would be a new and fun experience for the other members. I felt as if it would really bring us closer as a team, not just a school club’” she said.

A few students walked in memory of relatives that they had lost. Ginelle Gaulin-Mckenzie walked for her uncle/godfather, John Gaulin, who succumbed to AIDS about 16 years ago. “It was an amazing experience, I couldn’t get over how many people were there, they just kept coming. Around every corner there were people cheering us on and crossing the finish line was a great achievement,” Ginelle said.

Bobby Davenport, who walked in memory of his uncle who died almost 14 years ago from an AIDS-related disease, felt the walk “was an easy way to help raise funds for the victims of HIV/AIDS.”

The Newtown students raised more than $1,800 in pledges. Total contributions reached $6,473,108 and it is not over yet. Anyone wishing to donate can send a check to AIDS Walk New York, Old Chelsea Station, PO Box 10, New York NY 10013. More information is available at the website, AIDSWALK.net/newyork/.