Georgia: AIDS Walk Atlanta Features U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Mayor Shirley Franklin

AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run organizers are hoping to have 15,000-20,000 participants and raise $1 million at the annual event, which is being held on Sunday Oct. 18 at Piedmont Park. This will be the 19th year of the fundraiser and awareness walk. Benefiting organizations include AID Atlanta, AID Gwinnett, AIDS Research Consortium, Jerusalem House, Open Hand and Positive Impact. "Our metrics are all up from last year except for corporate sponsorship," said Tracy Elliott, AID Atlanta's executive director. "That's largely because of our social marketing effort," such as reaching out online through Twitter and Facebook, she said. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and US Rep. John Lewis will be featured speakers at the event. Check in begins at noon and the opening ceremony is at 1 p.m. The run and walk begin at 1:45 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively, from the park and will exit through 10th Street. For more information, visit www.aidswalkatlanta.com.

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