Well if we've met you know I have 2 big passions besides electing more & better Democrats - AIDS Walk Austin (for which I was the biggest non-board member fundraiser last year) and the Hill Country Ride for AIDS, which I'll be participating in next April. I have a crazy big fundraising goal this year - $5,000. I know that's insane in this economy but the agencies that benefit from this event serve people who really, truly need help. And this morning, the first 25 donations of $100 or more are being matched. Come with me below the fold for more information -- and a song. You'll never guess who the song is by.
There's a match challenge this morning. The first 25 donations of $100 or more will be matched by Walgreen's Pharmacy, one of the sponsors. The information I have from the Walk office doesn't mention a cap; so the first 25 wanting to donate $100, $250, $500 ++, would automatically be contributing $200, $500 or even $1000 ++ to helping people with AIDS. You can donate right here at my Walk page
Also if you know me, you might know I'm somewhat of a U2 fan. If we haven't met - hi. I was thinking about the Walk, listening to a mixed CD & on comes Stand Up Comedy, and it struck me as perfectly about the Walk. Let me explain why this song is about the Walk as I go through some of the lyrics and show you the video:
First, it has a great beat/sound for something like the Walk, keeps you moving & the sound is upbeat. And you gotta like the opening (repeating "love" several times)
then he says:
I'm gonna fall down if I can't stand up
For your love
I support the Walk because I want to stand up for people with HIV & AIDS. Back in the old days, this actually took some gumption. The first few years, the Walk was actually heckled, and I remember being somewhat shy about asking for donations. But now I stand proud with most of my friends & every elected official in town, because we love people affected by this disease. You can help by donating at my Walk page
and the chorus is: love, love, love
Which is the most important thing. There are still a few people who aren't on board with this cause yet, and to them I say:
Out from under your beds
C'mon ye people
Stand up for your love
Don't be afraid, come out & join us. Walk & raise money for this cause. It affects everyone. I know that there is still a stigma attached to this disease, but it's a virus, everyone should be able to stand up and support people who are ill.
and here's the best lyric in the song:
God is love
And love is evolution's very best day
Love is us at our best, helping our neighbors & friends. And that doesn't just do good for them, it does us good, too. The more we help each other, the better off we all are. And here's something I said about the Ride, which also applies to the Walk:
The Ride is a microcosm of the way we all want the world to be, it really, really is. You know that song from the '70's about how everyone is helpful & kind on the road to Shambala? You think I exaggerate, but I don't. I'm not the only one who says this, the Ride is one day of the world you want to live in. I kid you not, come out, either as a rider or a volunteer & if you don't feel the most amazing love you've ever felt, I'll buy you dinner someplace really nice.
Now, back to U2:
Soul rockin' people moving on
Soul rockin' people on and on
C'mon ye people
We're made of stars
C'mon ye people
Stand up then sit down for your love
Love love love love love...
Love love love love love...
I love this - we're made of stars. So come on & stand up for love. Help out people who need it. The Walk's goal of $165,000 is a lot of money to try to raise any time, but this year the economy sucks even worse than last year - and who thought that was possible? But people around here are in fear of losing their jobs, businesses are afraid people are going to stop spending money for fear of being laid off. Despite that, I really think that love & goodness generate more of themselves, and the Walk will raise the money they need to help people. I might not make it to my $5,000 goal, but I've raised over $1,000 and still have 2 weeks to raise more, so maybe I will. You can help by donating at my Walk page
and please donate this morning if you can, especially if you're donating $100 or more, because those donations will be doubled
there is also a drawing for a really lovely quilt (blue & white) made by my friend Lisa, look here to enter & for a cute picture of her & her brother, who died due to AIDS: http://www.asaustin.org/...