Walking and riding for AIDS for 20 years
Walking and riding for AIDS for 20 years
By Lucas Knowles
Editor
For the 20th year, students at Scarborough Middle School came together on the Columbus Day holiday to raise money for AIDS. The Ed Wimert Memorial Bike/Walk for AIDS has raised more than $120,000 for HIV and AIDS programming in Maine. Scarborough Middle School and the Frannie Peabody Center, which is located in Portland and provides services to clients living with HIV and AIDS, have partnered each year. A large group of middle school students, along with parents and other community members, gathered at the Clambake Restaurant in Pine Point this past Monday (Oct. 9) morning to prepare themselves for either the 20-mile bicycle course or eight-mile walk. Many said the weather had never been better for the event. Patti Capouch, the executive director of the Frannie Peabody Center, was on hand to express her gratitude to the participants. “I am amazed that there are so many people here this morning,” Capouch said. “What I would like you to think about is that worldwide, 13,000 people will become infected (with HIV) today. We need to be thinking not just about it today, but we need to be thinking about it all the time.” A few people who use the services provided by the Frannie Peabody Center were also present at the event and thanked participants for their continuing support. Some of those clients rode their bikes and walked the course. Marie Wimert, Ed’s sister-in-law, was there to congratulate those participating on 20 years of the event and said “Ed would be so proud of you today.” Ed Wimert, who died of complications relating to AIDS, assisted middle school staff on the first bike/walk-a-thon and now the event is named for him. Organizers estimated that at least 200 students and adults were participating in this year’s bike/walk-a-thon. Scarborough Middle School staff, member of the police department and its Explorers, the high school student council, Key Club and parents assisted at the event. The event has come a long way in 20 years – the first time it was held, it raised $500. Now, it consistently raises several thousand dollars.
By Lucas Knowles
Editor
For the 20th year, students at Scarborough Middle School came together on the Columbus Day holiday to raise money for AIDS. The Ed Wimert Memorial Bike/Walk for AIDS has raised more than $120,000 for HIV and AIDS programming in Maine. Scarborough Middle School and the Frannie Peabody Center, which is located in Portland and provides services to clients living with HIV and AIDS, have partnered each year. A large group of middle school students, along with parents and other community members, gathered at the Clambake Restaurant in Pine Point this past Monday (Oct. 9) morning to prepare themselves for either the 20-mile bicycle course or eight-mile walk. Many said the weather had never been better for the event. Patti Capouch, the executive director of the Frannie Peabody Center, was on hand to express her gratitude to the participants. “I am amazed that there are so many people here this morning,” Capouch said. “What I would like you to think about is that worldwide, 13,000 people will become infected (with HIV) today. We need to be thinking not just about it today, but we need to be thinking about it all the time.” A few people who use the services provided by the Frannie Peabody Center were also present at the event and thanked participants for their continuing support. Some of those clients rode their bikes and walked the course. Marie Wimert, Ed’s sister-in-law, was there to congratulate those participating on 20 years of the event and said “Ed would be so proud of you today.” Ed Wimert, who died of complications relating to AIDS, assisted middle school staff on the first bike/walk-a-thon and now the event is named for him. Organizers estimated that at least 200 students and adults were participating in this year’s bike/walk-a-thon. Scarborough Middle School staff, member of the police department and its Explorers, the high school student council, Key Club and parents assisted at the event. The event has come a long way in 20 years – the first time it was held, it raised $500. Now, it consistently raises several thousand dollars.
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