aids walk, fundraising, music festival, stop hiv

AIDS Walk FAQs

aids walk, fundraising, music festival, stop hiv

Your participation and support will help strengthen and expand programs that pledge to change the course of HIV in Baltimore and across Maryland and bring it to ZERO! 

 

ABOUT THE EVENT

Where does the money go? Funds raised by you will be used to help to expand HIV education, testing, prevention, and treatment programs provided by Chase Brexton and our Community Partners. Chase Brexton's proceeds will fund a newly established HIV medication messenger delivery service. Through this vital initiative designed to support patient access, medication adherence, and convenience, patients living and working around our Centers have the option of receiving their prescriptions, at no additional charge, personally, safely delivered to their home or place of work.  Anticipating more than 5,000 prescriptions to be delivered annually, your support will ensure this cost is not passed onto our patients.

What does this year’s “U=U” theme mean? “U=U” is short for Undetectable = Untransmittable, which means that a person living with HIV who takes their medications and maintains an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to sexual partners. This year, Chase Brexton is proud to partner with the Baltimore City Health Department in bringing the U=U message to the 2019 Baltimore AIDS Walk & Music Festival. For more information and facts on U=U, please visit uequalsumaryland.org.

How much does it cost to walk? It depends when you register!

  • Early Bird
    • Walk & Festival Registration Fee - $30.00
    • 2-12 years old Registration Fee* - $15.00
    • Virtual Walker - $40.00
  • April 1 to June 1
    • Walk & Festival Registration Fee - $35.00
    • 2-12 years old Registration Fee* - $15.00
    • Virtual Walker - $40.00
  • June 3 to morning of event:
    • Walk & Festival Registration Fee - $45.00
    • 2-12 years old Registration Fee* - $20.00
    • Virtual Walker - $40.00

* Free registration for children under 2 years of age, with adult registration. 

What is included with my registration fee? By registering, you'll receive access to the Walk and Music Festival which includes a healthy morning snack before the Walk, lunch with a non-alcoholic beverage, live music and a flat rate parking ($5) at Pier V!  Please note: your registration does not include the official Baltimore AIDS Walk & Music Festival t-shirt. You’re encouraged to fundraise or donate at the $100 level to receive the 2019 Commemorative t-shirt. 

Can I get a refund if I can’t make the event? No, we are unable to issue refunds.

Do I have to sign up children under 2 years old? Yes, everyone needs to be registered. 

Do I get an AIDS Walk T-Shirt for signing up? Only participants who raise or donate $100 or more will receive a commemorative event t-shirt.  If you’re registered, you’re one step closer! Your registration fee counts towards your incentive prizes

Is there a minimum I should raise? We do not require walkers to raise a minimum amount of money. But, we encourage everyone to set a fundraising goal and do their best to achieve it! Those who raise or donate at least $100 will receive the official, commemorative 2019 Baltimore AIDS Walk & Music Festival t-shirt; those with higher fundraising totals will receive additional awards and other special perks! Check out our full incentive list here.

What is the Community Partner Program? This year, Chase Brexton is inviting other local HIV service organizations to join us as Community Partners and keep half the money they raise. Participating organizations will join the event as fundraising teams, with a portion of the proceeds they raise directly benefiting their programs and services. Click here for more information on becoming an official Baltimore AIDS Walk & Music Festival Community Partner.

I earned the official AIDS Walk t-shirt!  Where and when can I pick it up? Congrats to getting to the $100 fundraising level! You’re welcome to pre-register and pick up your t-shirt on Wednesday, June 5, or Thursday, June 6, 8-10AM or 3-7PM at Chase Brexton Health Care (1111 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201). When you arrive, please take the elevators to the 4th floor, make a right, and ring the doorbell of the Marketing & Development department.

Registration

How do I register online? Visit our registration portal. You will be guided through the registration process. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email. Once you receive your confirmation email, log in to update your profile information and to personalize your fundraising page.

  • I was a part of the 2018 event, is my username and password the same as my 2018 username and password? Yes, your username and password will remain the same as long as you register with the same email address you used in 2018.
  • I forgot my username and password. How can I find out what they are? If you forgot your username or password, click on the “Forgot Username” or “Forgot Password?” link and enter your email address. You will receive an email with a link to reset your password. You will need to follow this link to update your password.

I'm registered to walk. Can I also volunteer? Yes! You can register for the afternoon shift, or if you’re interested in volunteering in the morning, just let us know you’re a participant and we’ll make sure you get to the walk start line in plenty of time. This does not apply to volunteers on the route – registered participants should not volunteer for any of the on-route opportunities. For more on volunteering, click here

What is a Virtual Walker? If you’re unable to attend this year’s event, and still want to show your support, consider becoming a Virtual Walker. Virtual Walkers will appear on our website’s fundraising scroll and will receive all applicable fundraising incentives for which they qualify. 

What is a Team? Teams are made up of individuals from companies, civic organizations, schools, families, and friends.  Any group of people who want to help fight HIV can form a team. Teams can range in size from four or more. There is no maximum number of team members - cast your net wide! To start a team, visit our Start a Team page.

Fundraising in-person & Online

What should I do to start raising funds for the Baltimore AIDS Walk & Music Festival? We offer a few simple suggestions to get started with your fundraising below.

--Set up your team or individual fundraising web page. Then send out an email to friends, family members, and co-workers. Each email sent from your Participant Center contains a link to sponsor you online with a credit card. Don't forget to set your goal!

--Matching gift programs. Many companies have 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. If your company doesn't currently match funds, ask your Human Resources manager if they will start a program.  You would be surprised how many companies add this program annually as an employee benefit program.

--Host a fundraising party. 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, premiums, and incentives! Give your Team Members or donors an incentive. Ask a local merchant to contribute to your fundraising by providing an incentive award or two. Reward the person who raises or gives the most!

How can friends and family find my individual fundraising webpage to make a donation? When you send an email from your Participant Center Page, the link to your individual fundraising web page will automatically be included at the bottom of the email. Also, on the home page of the website, friends and family can locate a participant by typing in the first and last name of the participant in the “Search Walkers and Teams” box. Upon clicking “Search,” they will be directed to the participant's individual fundraising web page.

The “Search Walkers and Teams” search  is not finding a participant who I know has registered. What can I do? You must type in the exact spelling of the first or last name of the person for whom you are looking. If you continue to have a problem locating a participant that you are sure has registered, please contact us at info@baltimoreaidswalk.org or call 410-837-2050 X1034.

Why aren’t the cash and check contributions I’ve raised showing up on my personal fundraising webpage? While credit card donations made through the website will automatically appear on a walker’s personal web page, cash & check donations and matching grants are considered “offline” donations that must be entered by Baltimore AIDS Walk & Music Festival staff. Please allow 3-5 business days after receipt for cash and check contributions to appear on your fundraising page.

Is my information secure? Yes. We have made every effort to protect your information. We use industry-standard SSL encryption techniques to make sure that your credit card information, passwords, and personal information travel securely over the Internet.

Team Questions

What are a Team Captain responsibilities? A Team Captain’s role is to recruit at least four team members, inspire individuals to donate, and motivate people to raise funds for his or her team. In order to promote team participation, a Team Captain’s first task is to send recruitment emails to all potential walkers. After walkers begin to register, following up on fundraising progress is the key to success.

I’m interested in becoming a Team Captain. Can you tell me more? Sure can! In return for stepping up to the plate and registering four or more members to your team, you will receive a special Team Captain handbook and a thank you gift, while supplies last.  

How can I promote the Baltimore AIDS Walk to potential Team Members? We suggest:

--Download and print additional tools and promotional materials. Check back soon for an update!
--Set up your team web page and send out an email to recruit Team Members. Remember, anyone can join your team.
--Ask family and friends, or invite vendors, clients, and customers to raise money and walk with your team.
--Put up our cardboard display stands and posters (provided via our marketing tool kit) in cafeterias, near elevators, on community bulletin boards, and anywhere else you can with high foot traffic/visibility. Check back soon for an update!
--Encourage some co-workers to become co-leaders. Ask senior management to write an appeal to all employees urging them to register.
--Hold an AIDS Awareness Day with a kick-off luncheon or brunch. Sign up Team Members at a registration table. An AIDS Walk representative can attend your event and help make it a success!

If someone registered for the AIDS Walk as an individual, can they still join a team? Pre-registered walkers can still be part of your team. Simply call our office at 410-837-2050, ext. 1034 with the walker's name, address, phone number, and email address (if available) and ask to have them transferred onto your team.

What bands will perform during the music festival? This year's performers include The Voice contestant Davon Fleming; European Indie singer-songwriter Shelby Blondell; and folk-soul band Nelly's Echo. For more information on our performers, visit our Facebook page

Donations

Where does the money go? With your help, we can end the impact of HIV on our friends, families, and our communities, by expanding education, testing, prevention, and treatment programs provided by Chase Brexton and our Community Partners.

Chase Brexton's proceeds will fund a newly established HIV medication messenger delivery service. Through this vital initiative designed to support patient access, medication adherence, and convenience, patients living and working around our Centers have the option of receiving their prescriptions, at no additional charge, personally, safely delivered to their home or place of work.  Anticipating more than 5,000 prescriptions to be delivered annually, your support will ensure this cost is not passed onto our patients.

When is the deadline to donate? We will continue to accept donations (online, checks, and cash) for the Baltimore AIDS Walk & Music Festival 2019 through June 30, 2019.  Donations made through June 30, 2019 will continue to be counted toward participant fundraising goals.

To what organization should donation checks be made out? Checks should be made payable to "Chase Brexton Health Care."

Can I mail a cash donation? Please don't send a cash donation in the mail. You may drop off cash donations at Chase Brexton’s Development office - 1111 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Or, you can deposit the cash into your checking account and send a personal check from your account. Be sure to include the name of the walker being sponsored in the memo section of the check.

Where do I mail donations? Checks should be sent to: Chase Brexton Health Care, Attn: Development, 1111 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201. Please include a completed donation form and clearly write the name of the name of the person, or team, who should be credited on the check’s memo line or on a separate piece of paper; otherwise, your contribution could be credited as a general donation. 

What should I do if a check is made out to me personally? If a donation check has been written out to you personally, you may endorse the back of the check and mail it in with a completed donation form to Chase Brexton Health Care.

What portion of my contribution is tax deductible? The portion of your contribution that is tax-deductible is the difference between the amount you donated and the Fair Market Value of the value of a good or service received in exchange for your contribution.

To calculate your permissible tax-deduction, please refer to the chart below to identify the value of the good or service received.  Please consult your tax accountant should you have further questions. 

  Item Value
1 Camping Chair $23
2 Dog Tags $2
3 Registration - 1 adult $16
4 Registration - 1 youth $10
5 Shoelaces $3
6 T-shirt $10
7 Trucker Cap $4
8 VIP Section - 1 entry $35
9 Water Bottle $5

For example, if you registered at the $35 level and donated $65 for the t-shirt, your total tax-deductible contribution is the amount paid ($100) minus the cost of good and service provided ($10 for the t-shirt and $16 for the adult registration).  Therefore, $74 is your tax-deductible contribution.

Chase Brexton Health Services is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and our Tax ID number is 52-1638592.

Will I receive a receipt for my donations? Anyone who donates online, regardless of the amount, will receive a receipt via email. If someone donates via cash or check, they can request a receipt by calling the Chase Brexton Development office at  410-837-2050 X1034.  

DAY OF Event Information

When and where is this year’s Walk?  The 2019 Baltimore AIDS Walk & Music Festival will take place on Sunday, June 9, 2019, at Power Plant Live! - 34 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202.  Power Plant Live! is just one block from downtown Baltimore’s Inner Harbor where this year's walk route will be going.

How do I get to this year’s event? Directions are available here. Parking is available at Pier V Parking - 711 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Where should I go when I arrive?

--Pre-Registered Walkers: Walkers who registered online will check in at  registration set up just beyond the circular entrance at Power Plant Live!. Look for the registration sign.  
--Walkers Who Did Not Register Online: Walkers who were unable to register online before Friday, June 7, 2019, are able to register on the day of the event at the Walker Registration table. Look for the registration signs. The cost for on-site registration will be $45 for adults and $20 for children under 12.
--Team Captains: Check-in at the registration area
--Sponsors: Check-in at the VIP tent 
--Volunteers: check in will be at the Volunteer tent.  Look ut for the volunteer sign. At check-in, you will receive volunteer t-shirt and be directed to your assignment.

If I meet the fundraising goals for t-shirt and donation incentives, when and where can I pick up these items up? T-shirts (for fundraising or donating at the level of $100 or more) and incentive items will be distributed beginning at 8:00 am on Sunday, June 9 at the event. Team Captains or a designee are eligible to pick-up all items for their team. Please inform your team members if you are doing so to avoid any confusion.

I couldn’t register online – can I register on the day of? Yes! Walkers who were unable to register online before the deadline will still be able to register at the Walker Registration table. The cost for on-site registration will be $45 for adults and $20 for children under 12.

What is the schedule?

7:00 AM – Volunteer Check-In 
8:00  AM – Registration & Walk Check-In
8:45 AM – Opening Ceremony
9:00 AM – Aerobic Warm Up
9:15 AM – Walkers move to starting line
9:30 AM– WALK! 
10:30 AM – Post-Walk Music Festival, Award Ceremony & Lunch
1:00 PM – Music Festival Concludes

How long is the Walk course? The Walk course is approximately 2 miles (3.3 kilometers) and, depending on your pace, could take anywhere from 30- to 60-minutes to complete.

What is the route of the Walk? Click here to view the event schedule and course map

Are strollers and pets permitted? We encourage you to attend with all members of your human family, no matter how young! Strollers are permitted at Power Plant Live! and on the course route. Unfortunately, pets are not permitted. 

Will the event be cancelled in the case of bad weather? No – the event will take place rain or shine. Please check the weather forecast and dress appropriately.

If you have additional questions, please contact us at 410-837-2050  X1034 or info@baltimoreaidswalk.org.

aids walk, fundraising, music festival, stop hiv