Frequently Asked Questions

Event Information

Registration and Opening Ceremonies begin at 8:00 AM and the Walk begins promptly at 9:00 AM (Rain or Shine)

Registration, Opening Ceremonies and Post-Walk Celebration will be held at:

Soundscape Park
400 17th Street
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

 

Q: HOW LONG IS THE WALK ROUTE?

A: AIDS Walk Miami is 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) long, and takes roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. 

 

Q: WHAT IS THE WALK ROUTE?

A: AIDS Walk Miami follows a course through Lincoln Road Mall, South Beach residential neighborhood, Washington Avenue business district, Lummus Park serpentine pathway along Ocean Drive and the Ocean boardwalk. The Walk begins and ends at Soundscape Park located at 17th Street between Washington and Drexel Avenues. To view a live ROUTE MAP on Google Maps, click here to visit.

 

Q: WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

A: 100% of every dollar raised from AIDS Walk Miami go to Care Resource and its Food For Life Network Food Bank to continue providing critical help to the 17,000+ individuals annually who depend on its essential services: primary medical and dental care, HIV and STI testing, case management, counseling, prevention education, housing, food and nutritional assistance, and much more. 

Q: WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY OF AIDS WALK MIAMI?

8:00 AM: Registration & Check-In

8:30 AM: Opening Ceremonies begin

9:00 AM: Walk begins – Rain or Shine

9:30 AM - NOON: Post-Walk Celebration at Soundscape Park

 

Q: ARE PETS WELCOME AT THE WALK?

A: The Walk is a pet-friendly event, provided your pet is friendly. Pet friendly registration tables are located just outside the entrance of the New World Symphony. Be advised 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. Please keep your pet’s best interests as your top priority!

 

Q: WHERE DO I PARK FOR THE EVENT?

A: Parking is available at the City parking garages and on surface streets and lots in the immediate vicinity. The City of Miami Beach usually charges a set flat rate for special event parking but this can be avoided if you park in a staffed parking garage and opt for the hourly rate. Street parking is also available. The 3 garages closest to the event are: New World Center garage located at Pennsylvania Avenue and Lincoln Lane North, City Hall garage located just behind City Hall at 1755 Meridian and the 17th Street Garage located at 640 17th Street.

 

Q: WHAT IF I WANT TO RUN THE 5K, OR WHAT IF I AM A SLOW WALKER?

A: RUNNING IS NOT SUPPORTED BY ROAD CLOSURES. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate in the Walk in their own way but 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!

 

Q: WHAT IS A “GENERAL WALKER”?

A: A General Walker is a walker who has not elected to join a walk team or start a team. There is a nominal registration fee of $25 with the exception of a Junior Walker (5-18 Y.O). Participants who raise a minimum of $50 (including your registration fee) will receive a complimentary commemorative AIDS Walk Miami t-shirt with the exception of Junior Walkers, who are asked to raise a minimum of $25 in donations to receive a commemorative AIDS Walk Miami t-shirt on the day of the Walk.

 

Q: WHAT IS A TEAM?

A: Teams consist of two or more people and are comprised of walkers representing a variety of companies, schools, churches, friends and families, and organizations in our communities. 

 

Q: WHAT IS A “SLEEP WALKER”?

A: A Sleep Walker is: a participant who is not able to attend the actual fundraiser. There is a registration fee of $25 for each participant with the exception of a Junior Walker (5-18 Y.O) Sleep Walkers are able to use all of the fundraising tools on our website and are eligible to receive the same benefits as a General Walker. Sleep Walkers must raise a minimum of $75 no later than April 26, 2019 in order to receive a commemorative t-shirt by mail.

 

Q: WHAT IS A “JUNIOR WALKER”?

A: A Junior Walker is reserved for Elementary, Junior High and High School students only. Junior Walkers must be between 5 and 18 years of age and are asked to raise a minimum of $25.00 in donations to receive a commemorative AIDS Walk Miami t-shirt on the day of the event. Junior Walkers can register free of charge.

 

Q: TO WHOM SHOULD DONATION CHECKS BE MADE OUT?

A: Checks made payable to either “AIDS Walk Miami” or “Care Resource” are accepted. These checks can be mailed to: Care Resource, 3801 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 220, Miami, Florida 33137. Clearly include the name of who you are sponsoring on the check or who the check is meant to sponsor. Otherwise, your donation will be credited as a general donation.Checks may also be turned in to registration on the day of the event.

 

Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO TO START RAISING FUNDS FOR AIDS WALK MIAMI?

A: Here are a few simple suggestions to get started with your fundraising:

  • Set up your team or individual fundraising web page. Then send out an e-mail to friends, family members, and co-workers from your Fundraising Dashboard.
  • Social Networking: post your fundraising web page on Facebook and Twitter and ask your friends and other contacts for support! 
  • Matching Gift Programs: many corporate organizations have corporate giving programs that match their employees donations. Use the matching gift programs of your employer or your family and friends' employers to double or triple your donations! Check to see if your employer participates in the corporate giving policy online now or ask your Human Resources department.
  • 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 a prize or two and create a contest within your team. You could create a contest for: most new team members enlisted, highest amount raised, or most original fundraising effort.
  • For more fundraising ideas: visit our Fundraising Tips & Tools page!

 

Q: IS THERE A MINIMUM AMOUNT I SHOULD RAISE FOR AIDS WALK MIAMI?

A: Yes. AIDS Walk Miami requires a minimum registration fee of $25 for each participant with the exception of Junior Walkers (5-18 Y.O) However, we encourage everyone to set an ambitious fundraising goal and do their best to achieve it. Participants are eligible for awards and prizes for exceptional fundraising efforts.

 

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. 

 

Q: HOW ELSE CAN I SUPPORT AIDS WALK MIAMI?

A: There are many opportunities for you to get involved in AIDS Walk Miami, from volunteering on the day of the event to becoming a corporate, gift or water stop sponsor. Even if you aren’t in a position to sponsor the Walk, you may have contacts that are. To find out about any of these options or share sponsorship leads that you think might be helpful, please contact us at 305-751-WALK (9255) or by email at info@aidswalkmiami.org.

 

Q: WHAT IS GIFT MATCHING?

Gift Matching Program Infographic You donate They match Double the Impact

One of the smartest ways to give is through a Gift Matching Program, where a company or individual matches your donations to charitable organizations. These matches are often dollar for dollar or even match dollars to the amount of time you volunteer, doubling or tripling your charitable donation power.

There are two basic methods to utilize this area. The first is to find out if your employer offers this program. Simply enter the information below. If your company does participate, you will be presented information including gift match program details, eligibility requirements, contact information and online gift matching forms. The second is to check if the person who is pledging you is employed by a participating company.

If your company is not listed here, you might wish to check with your Human Resource department as you might not have the proper company or parent name.

Online charitable donation sites frequently feature gift matching programs sponsored by corporations or individuals. Before donating through a matching gift program, find out whether different giving methods (for example, credit card, check or money order; shop-for-charity; volunteering) result in different matching levels. Should you require any assistance with this program, please contact us at 305-751-WALK (9255) or at info@aidswalkmiami.org.

To find out if your company will match gifts for the AIDS Walk, please enter your employer's name below:

If you have any additional questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to call us Mon – Fri (8:30AM – 5:15PM) at 305-751-WALK (9255) or send us an email to info@aidswalkmiami.org