A stream of red T-shirts worn by the participants in the Athens AIDS Walk flowed through the city and campus greens Saturday as a silent reminder of the virus that continues to take victims.

Several members of the Athens community and members of student organizations came together to help raise AIDS awareness and help the Athens AIDS Task force raise money to fight the virus.

The Athens AIDS Task force is an organization that provides prevention education and case management services to individuals and groups in communities of Southeast Ohio. Through newsletters, distribution of free condoms and HIV periodicals throughout the community, as well as a lending library, the task force strives to raise awareness however possible.

Kicking off the ceremony was Ohio University President Robert Glidden, who emphasized the importance of collective concern forming a collective action against the disease. Coordinating the walk were OU students Carrie Childs and Mike DiNicola. Also officially starting the walk was Athens Mayor Ric Abel.

"Athens must be part of the global effort to fight AIDS," Abel said.

And for the past three years, the Athens AIDS Task Force has been doing its part with the Athens AIDS Walk.

Participants of the walk paid a $5 registration fee, which went towards funding for the task force, and came from numerous organizations, such as residence life staffs, the volleyball team and sororities.

"This will help raise awareness that this is a problem," said Jason Kaschube, a resident assistant in Biddle Hall.

The group also attempted to create the largest human red ribbon, which is held in the Guiness Book of World Records with 532 people.

While yesterday's walk only drew about 100 people, it did raise over $500 to contribute to the task force, said walk participant Kelli Whitlock.

She said it was important to raise awareness, especially among college-age students, because this age group has the highest risk but also has the highest awareness. This walk helps increase it, she said.

A stream of red T-shirts worn by the participants in the Athens AIDS Walk flowed through the city and campus greens Saturday as a silent reminder of the virus that continues to take victims.

Several members of the Athens community and members of student organizations came together to help raise AIDS awareness and help the Athens AIDS Task force raise money to fight the virus.

The Athens AIDS Task force is an organization that provides prevention education and case management services to individuals and groups in communities of Southeast Ohio. Through newsletters, distribution of free condoms and HIV periodicals throughout the community, as well as a lending library, the task force strives to raise awareness however possible.

Kicking off the ceremony was Ohio University President Robert Glidden, who emphasized the importance of collective concern forming a collective action against the disease. Coordinating the walk were OU students Carrie Childs and Mike DiNicola. Also officially starting the walk was Athens Mayor Ric Abel.

"Athens must be part of the global effort to fight AIDS," Abel said.

And for the past three years, the Athens AIDS Task Force has been doing its part with the Athens AIDS Walk.

Participants of the walk paid a $5 registration fee, which went towards funding for the task force, and came from numerous organizations, such as residence life staffs, the volleyball team and sororities.

"This will help raise awareness that this is a problem," said Jason Kaschube, a resident assistant in Biddle Hall.

The group also attempted to create the largest human red ribbon, which is held in the Guiness Book of World Records with 532 people.

While yesterday's walk only drew about 100 people, it did raise over $500 to contribute to the task force, said walk participant Kelli Whitlock.

She said it was important to raise awareness, especially among college-age students, because this age group has the highest risk but also has the highest awareness. This walk helps increase it, she said.