“Welcome to West Hollywood, where the women are strong and the men are pretty!” exclaimed West Hollywood Mayor John Duran.
Duran and other celebrities and dignitaries welcomed more than 30,000 Angelino walkers who filled the streets of West Hollywood on Sunday, Oct. 16 to help raise awareness and donations for the AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) for the 27th year of the AIDS Walk Los Angeles, California’s first and largest AIDS fundraising event. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $69 million to fight HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles, and the AIDS Walk movement has raised more than a half billion dollars nationwide.
The event kicked off with an intimate breakfast at The Abbey Restaurant in West Hollywood. Members of the media, APLA board members, congressmen/women and volunteers enjoyed a warm breakfast under the fall ambiance of the indoor/outdoor restaurant. With bellies full and spirits high, attendees were escorted down the street to the Opening Ceremony stage at the corner of San Vicente and Santa Monica Blvd to kick off the festivities. Guest speakers included Los Angles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, West Hollywood Mayor John Duran, celebrities Drew Carey (The Price Is Right), Carson Kressley and Louis Van Amstel (Dancing With the Stars), Dot Jones (Glee), Pauley Perrette (NCIS) and many more.
At 10:00am, walkers lined up and began their 6.2 mile journey through the heart of West Hollywood, some dressed in costumes, some marching in groups designated with brightly decorated signs, and others walking together as a family with matching shirts featuring the face of a loved one lost by this epidemic.
“Overcoming economic challenges that continue to hit especially hard here in Southern California, our 30,000 participants filled the streets and raised more than $3 million to fight AIDS and provide vital care for people living with HIV,” said Craig Miller, Founder and Producer of the event.
For more information on APLA and their positive impact on the Los Angeles area or to donate, visit aidswalk.net. Donations will continue to be accepted through Friday, November 11.
LA’s The Place Magazine was a proud sponsor.
